Five Arrested in Wildwood After Month-Long Investigation

WILDWOOD — Five men were arrested in Wildwood on Tues., Dec. 6 at the conclusion of a month-long investigation in connection to the sales of controlled substances, specifically crack cocaine and heroin in the city.
According to a press release from the detective division of the city’s police department, at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Dec. 6, members of the Cape May County Regional Special Weapons and Tactics Team and the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department Canine Unit executed a court-authorized search warrant in the 4600 block of Atlantic Avenue.
As a result of the execution of that warrant, distribution quantities of narcotics, specifically 32 individual pre-packaged bags of crack-form cocaine and 172 pre-packaged bags of heroin were recovered, along with United States currency, which was identified as proceeds from narcotics distribution and sales.
The narcotics found during the search of the premises had an estimated street value of more than $4,000.
The following individuals were arrested and charged with narcotics-related offenses:
¬- Edwin Gonzalez-Ayala, 22, of Wildwood, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute in certain public places, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute in a school zone, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent t distribute within certain public places, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of lidocaine, possession of a weapon, possession of weapon for unlawful use and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
Gonzales-Ayala was processed and is lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.
– Nathaniel Ruiz, 31, of Wildwood was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute within certain public places, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within certain public places, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of lidocaine, possession of weapon, possession of weapon for unlawful purpose and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
Ruiz was processed and is lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,00 cash bail.
– Alexander Perez-Mercado, 20, of Lower Township was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute with certain public places, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within certain places, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of lidocaine, possession of weapon, possession of weapon for unlawful purpose and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
Perez-Mercado was processed and is being lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.
– Mario DeLuca, 25, of Wildwood was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute with certain public places, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within certain places, possession of heroin with intent to distribute within a school zone, possession of lidocaine, possession of weapon, possession of weapon for unlawful purpose and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
DeLuca was processed and is lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.
– Jason O. Ramos, 22, of Wildwood, was charged with hindering apprehension, a crime of the third degree. He was processed and is lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.