NY couple charged in major narcotics investigation, husband accused of trafficking large amounts of cocaine in Morris County
MONTGOMERY, NY (Orange County) – Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler last week announced that Marius Schwerberg, 65, and his wife, Nancy Schwerberg, 43, of Montgomery, NY were charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance for possessing 52.1 ounces of cocaine at their residence on October 21.
The charges were the result of a joint operation between the New Jersey State Police, and the New York State Police, Troop F Violent Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (“VGNET”), aided by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Hoovler said.
The investigation related to the trafficking of large amounts of cocaine in Morris County, New Jersey. As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at their Loch Lane residence and resulted in the seizure of 1,485 grams of cocaine, and 17 pounds of marihuana, which collectively had a street value of over $180,000, Hoover said.
Additionally, items used for the cutting, weighing, and repackaging of cocaine, a loaded handgun, and over $1,187,391.00 in cash were recovered during the execution of the search warrant. The money constitutes the largest amount of cash recovered during a narcotics search warrant in Orange County history, Hoovler said.
In addition to the felony complaints, arrest warrants were also issued by Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo for the Schwerbergs to be produced in Orange County Court to face charges there. The arrest warrant for Marius Schwerberg was for operating as a major trafficker, and the warrant for Nancy Schwerberg was for first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both are in custody in New Jersey where they are facing charges pending extradition to New York, Hoovler said.
The maximum sentence for the Class AI felony of operating as a major trafficker is twenty-five years to life. The maximum sentence for the Class AI felony of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance is twenty years.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended the New York State Police, Troop F VGNET and the New Jersey State Police for their investigation and the charges against the defendants.
“This case shows that major narcotics trafficking is not just confined to urban areas,” Hoovler said. “We will have these defendants brought to Orange County to face charges as soon as possible. Narcotics are destroying the very fabric of our communities and those who reap large profits from narcotics trafficking must be severely punished. It is only when law enforcement agencies work collaboratively that large scale narcotics operations can be disrupted.”
