Two New York Men Charged in Fort Lee Undercover Drug Sting

A month-long investigation has led to the arrest of two New York City men on drug distribution charges in Fort Lee, the prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday.

Stephen Bonilla, 35, of the Bronx and Carnitto Johnson, 39, of Queens were arrested in Fort Lee on Dec. 6 after a joint investigation by the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force and the Fort Lee Police Department, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

After receiving information about Bonilla’s and Johnson’s suspected drug activities, an undercover detective was able to “infiltrate their operation” and on Dec. 4 to purchase 25 grams of what police suspected to be cocaine, Molinelli said. 

The undercover detective then negotiated an $18,800, 400-gram cocaine purchase, and on Dec. 6, just before the transaction was to take place, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Fort Lee Police Department moved in on the two men in a rented Dodge Charger and arrested them in connection with the alleged cocaine sale two days prior, according to Molinelli.

After getting a warrant to search the vehicle, police found three plastic bags in a liquor bottle in the front seat of the Charger with a total of about 400 grams of “suspected cocaine,” Molinelli said.

Bonilla and Johnson were each charged with distribution of cocaine in a quantity greater than one-half ounce but less than five ounces and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute in a quantity greater than five ounces, according to authorities.

Both men are being held at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

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