Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 39-year-old SAMER J. HELOU of Fairfield, NJ; 64-year-old LEILA HELOU of West Caldwell, NJ; 31-year-old JAMES A. MARRA of Belleville, NJ; 49-year-old FRANK A. PREZIOSI of West Orange, NJ; 39-year-old MIGUEL A. ROSA of West New York, N.J; and 56-year-old ABBAS SAYED of West Caldwell, NJ on various narcotics distribution charges. The arrests are the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Administrator Terrence C. Cole.
In December 2023, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force began investigating an illicit marijuana distribution operation in Bergen County, NJ. As the lengthy investigation progressed, it became apparent that the scale of the criminal network reached beyond Bergen County. Accordingly, an investigative partnership with the DEA was formed and a joint investigation commenced.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, following nearly two years of investigation with the assistance of the DEA, and in coordination with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force executed multiple court-authorized search warrants at the individual residences of SAMER J. HELOU, LEILIA HELOU, FRANK A. PREZIOSI, and ABBAS SAYED, as well as other properties related to the investigation. Additionally, arrest warrants were executed for JAMES A. MARRA and MIGUEL A. ROSA. All told, detectives seized more than $500,000 of U.S. currency, more than 200 lbs. of marijuana, various items of drug paraphernalia, and hundreds of additional cannabis products packaged for distribution.
As a result of the investigation, on November 19, 2025, all six defendants were arrested and charged as follows:
FRANK A. PREZIOSI was charged with first-degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(10)a; second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5b(10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
SAMER J. HELOU was charged with second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5b (10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
LEILA HELOU was charged with second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5b (10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
JAMES A. MARRA was charged with second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5B (10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
MIGUEL A. ROSA was charged with second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5b(10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
ABBAS SAYED was charged with second-degree conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana in an amount greater than 25 lbs., N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 35-5B (10); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a.
The defendants were remanded to the Bergen County Jail, made a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ, and were ordered released pending further court action.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that all of the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Mark Musella thanks the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office for their coordination in this matter. Moreover, Prosecutor Musella thanks and recognizes the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance with this investigation. Finally, he thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Clifton Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Garfield Police Department, North Arlington Police Department, West Caldwell Police Department, and West Orange Police Department for their assistance with this case.