A Bronx man was arrested by state troopers on the New Jersey Turnpike in Kearny late Thursday after they discovered three cardboard boxes containing 50 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle.
Sgt. Brian Polite identified the man as Jose Velasquez, 63, of Bronx, and said he is charged with possession of cocaine and with intent to distribute it. Velasquez is being held without bail in the Hudson County Jail.
A trooper had stopped Velasquez’s 1994 Honda station wagon in the northbound lanes of the turnpike at 10:30 p.m. intending to charge him with a moving violation. A search of vehicle uncovered the cocaine. Polite said it has a street value of $1.75 million.