North Bergen Prosecutor Charged with Money Laundering

North Bergen Town Prosecutor Charged with Money Laundering Scheme

A municipal prosecutor, Marcanton Macri, was charged with participating in a scheme to assist drug traffickers in their operation to transport marijuana into New Jersey and New York from California. As part of their drug charges, it is claimed that Matthew Martin and Danny Saleh, of Edgewater, New Jersey, made trips to California’s marijuana filled area known as the Emerald Triangle. Once there, the two allegedly obtained marijuana and mailed the stash from Northern California post offices to Linden, Rahway, Edgewater and Brooklyn. The State also claims that Marcanton Macri helped the two alleged traffickers and an assistant bank manager who exchanged smaller denominations for larger bills to permit easier transport. Macri, one of two prosecutors in North Bergen, has occupied the position for over 10 years. He was arrested on counts of money laundering and financial facilitation of criminal activity.

John L. Molinelli of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that six individuals were arrested following a two-month investigation.

Town Spokesman, Phil Swibinski, stated that Macri was suspended without pay immediately. Further, Swibinski indicated that North Bergen had no knowledge of any of Mr. Macri’s alleged activities.

The investigation further revealed that the scheme permitted at least 1000 pounds of marijuana to enter the area from California. Several others were arrested and additional suspects remain at large to date. The probe also resulted in the seizure of at least $250,000, a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce, several other luxury cars, several guns, and additional quantities of marijuana.