Five Arrested in Narcotics Bust at Jersey City Storefront

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Five individuals have been arrested following a narcotics investigation at a Jersey City storefront, authorities announced. The arrests stem from an operation led by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force in response to reports of drug transactions occurring at a local business.

According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, the investigation culminated on February 5, 2025, when law enforcement officials, including the Hudson County Regional SWAT, Jersey City Police Department, and Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, executed a court-authorized search at Kaelyn Deli and Grocery, located at 156 Martin Luther King Drive.

During the search, investigators recovered various quantities of suspected cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash hidden in different areas of the store. Authorities arrested five individuals in connection with the investigation. Donte Carlisle, 32, Marc Jeune, 19, and Elvin Borbon, 32, all of Jersey City, were taken into custody on February 5. Rodney Chappel, 38, was arrested on February 11, and Aliquan Hatten, 38, was arrested on February 18. Each faces multiple narcotics-related charges, including conspiracy and distribution.

Following the raid, the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services ordered the immediate closure of the business and issued multiple health code citations to the store’s owner.

Officials emphasize that the charges remain accusations at this stage, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.