Felix Mujica, left, and Wilfredo Latimer are accused of running a large drug-trafficking business out of Egg Harbor Township.
Two Egg Harbor Township men will stay jailed after 2½ kilograms of cocaine and an assault rifle were recovered during raids last week.
Wilfredo Latimer, 47, and Felix Mujica, 46, sold more than five ounces of the drug to a police operative in Atlantic City, according to the charges.
"Well, well, well over first-degree weight," Assistant Prosecutor Paige Jedicka told the judge.
That led to warranted searches of the men's homes along with a residence on Mediterranean Avenue in Atlantic City and two vehicles.
Latimer's attorney argued that all of the drugs, along with the gun and ammunition were found in Mujica's home.
The three-plus hour search of the Spruce Avenue home Latimer shares with his family resulted in only about $600 in cash, "which is not illegal," defense attorney Joe Swift said.
"I clearly want to differentiate these two individuals," Swift said. "If they're conspirators, I think that should be used very loosely."
He also pointed out that his client has only one prior conviction for drug distribution, which was taken care of when Latimer successfully completed drug court in 2019.
For his part, Mujica's attorney denied anything found in his client's trailer belonged to him.
Defense attorney Kevin Moses did not indicate who he was alleging actually owned the drugs and gun.
He said Mujica is a recovering drug addict who has been clean for seven years. He works as a mechanic and takes care of puppies, for whom the Public Defender's Office found temporary care.
But the judge pointed toa 30-year criminal history and the high amount of drugs in ordering him detained.
Both men face potential life sentences due to their criminal histories, which Swift questioned considering Latimer's single conviction.
As a result, detention was presumed for both men under bail reform.
Judge Pam D'Arcy found that neither over came that presumption, and ordered both held.
"I'm released or detained?" Latimer asked when told his hearing was over.
"You're detained," he was told.
"Why?" he asked "I'm innocent."
Mujica pled for release after he was ordered held.
"Put me on bracelet, please judge," he said. "I ain’t going nowhere, man."
"I’ve ruled, Mr. Mujica," the judge replied. "And I stand by my ruling. You are detained."
