Three Charged in West Essex Cocaine Investigation

Three men allegedly involved in dealing cocaine in suburban Essex County were arrested early Friday morning, prosecutors said.

A two-month investigation by the Essex County Narcotics Task Force led to the arrest of Ara Manookian, age 43, of Verona, Kyle J. McTeer, age 35, of Montclair and Robert Perez, age 33, of Newark, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said.

Police seized 200 grams of cocaine with a $10,000 street value in the takedown, Murray said.

Manookian was arrested on Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. He was charged with multiple counts of distribution of cocaine, distribution within 1,000 feet of a school and conspiracy.

McTeer was arrested at his home in Montclair. He faces numerous charges, including two counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, one count of distribution within 500 feet of public property and conspiracy.

The third suspect, Perez, was arrested at his home in Newark and has been charged with one count of conspiracy.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office assisted in the investigation.

All three suspects are being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly.

Bail has been set at $225,000 for Manookian, and $50,000 each for McTeer and Perez, according to Fennelly.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.