Apr.02, 2010

Bergen County law enforcement officials arrested four Monmouth County men last week after a Montvale police officer discovered a large amount of cash in a vehicle during a routine traffic stop, sparking an investigation that authorities said netted 100 pounds of marijuana, more cash, and a weapon loaded with hollow-point bullets.

Thomas J. Lynch, 27; David Ku, 29; and Brian Bae, 25, all of the same Stratford Road address in Tinton Falls; and Daniel Ku, 26, of Norwood Lane, Matawan, were arrested March 23 after Lynch was pulled over by a Montvale police officer.

Lynch was subsequently arrested, when a small amount of marijuana was recovered by the police officer, authorities said. After his arrest on drug possession charges, a subsequent search of the vehicle by police discovered a package on the back seat containing about $65,000 in cash.

The discovery sparked a further investigation which revealed Bae was the owner of the car, authorities said. He was called to Montvale police headquarters to retrieve the vehicle, and was arrested there.

Police learned Lynch and Bae were using their Stratford Road home and a home in Wayne as stash houses to store and distribute large quantities of marijuana, authorities said in a press release issued by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.

According to authorities, a search of the Stratford Road home recovered about 100 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $500,000; $45,000 in cash; a .40 caliber semi-automatic Glock handgun loaded with hollow point bullets; two vehicles and drug packaging and money laundering equipment.

A search of the Wayne home netted another three pounds of marijuana, according to prosecutors.

A total of $110,000 cash was seized during the investigation, as well as more than 103 pounds of marijuana, authorities said.

Lynch was charged with fourth-degree possession of marijuana and third-degree money laundering, and was released on his own recognizance.

Bae was charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and a count of money laundering. He is being held in Bergen County Jail on $75,000 bail without the option to post 10 percent.

Daniel Ku was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, one in the first degree and one in the third degree. He is being held in Bergen County Jail on $125,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

David Ku was charged with first degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. He is also in the Bergen County Jail on $125,000 bail with no 10 percent option.