CARTEL BOSS TIED TO WAREHOUSE DRUG BUST

About 700 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $170 million was seized by U.S. Customs Authorities from a West Orange warehouse earlier this year, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.
The amount, believed to be the state’s largest cocaine haul on record, is nearly double the approximately 400 kilograms discovered last October in a shipping container in Trenton.
U.S. Customs authorities suspect The 400 crime syndicate, a cell affiliated with the colombian Cali Cartel, after discovering the warehouse to be owned by Jorge Alberto Rodriguez, the founder and head of The 400.
The cocaine, which was hidden in a shipping container housing boxes of bananas and other items, was discovered by a customs officer in late March to early April this year, according to the sources.
During questioning by customs officials, warehouse workers have denied knowledge and involvement in the smuggling, the sources said.
The customs authorities suspect the cocaine may have been delivered to the warehouse by mistake after smugglers failed to transport the drugs to New York after leaving the ship yard.