Hackensack Apartment Search Leads to Major Drug and Treasury Check Seizure, Two Bergen County Residents Charged

A court-approved search of a Hackensack luxury apartment found a large amount of cocaine, hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen U.S. Treasury checks, and other suspected financial crimes. Two Bergen County residents are facing serious charges.

Asia Kelly, 39, and Wakimi Joseph, 37, were arrested Friday after investigators executed a search warrant at their Hackensack, New Jersey, apartment. Local investigators conducted the operation as part of a criminal probe.

Police confirmed that officers found 48 U.S. Treasury checks for individuals and corporations. The cheques totaled almost $667,000. Both arrested persons were denied checks, according to authorities.

Investigators seized Treasury checks, debit and credit cards from others, and a fake driver’s license. Law enforcement officials said the finds were part of a larger scam including stolen financial instruments and identity theft.

Hackensack Police Detective Captain Darrin DeWitt said officers found more than 100 Ziploc bags of cocaine packed for distribution during the search. Drugs were allegedly readied for sale. Investigators also found prescription drugs prescribed to others and almost $15,000 in cash suspected of illegal activities.

Kelly and Joseph face charges of drug possession with intent to distribute, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. These are second-degree crimes in New Jersey, which carry heavy punishments.

Kelly also faces second-degree identity theft charges. She was arrested on three warrants, including a Massachusetts forgery charge.

Third-degree possession with intent to distribute prescription medicines was also charged against Joseph.

Both were arrested and held at Bergen County Jail pending court appearances. Attorney information was unavailable at the time of the announcement, officials added.

Police have not disclosed the scope of the investigation or whether more arrests are likely. Officials stressed that the allegations are accusations and that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case exposes Bergen County authorities’ drug distribution and financial fraud investigations. Expect updates as the case progresses in court.

Sources:
Hackensack Police Department
Bergen County Jail Records
U.S. Department of the Treasury