New Jersey Couple Ran $1M Coke Operation From Home

After a 14-month investigation, it has been discovered that a New Jersey couple had used its suburban home to run a cocaine smuggling operation.

According to police, 35-year-old Vincente Esteves and his 30-year-old wife Chantal were arrested. They have been charged with conspiracy and money laundering. Investigators and authorities explain that the Esteves had run drugs from Mexico and Colombia through commercial flights. To hide what they did, the couple would live in a home that is designed like a fortress. In short, the Esteves hid behind the façade of the suburban life. Think “Desperate Housewives” but imagine one of the couples secretly working as drug peddlers. There was a couple like that in the movie Traffic. Catherine Zeta-Jones portrayed the wife of a man who was secretly a drug lord. The two of them lived the same lifestyle as the Esteves’ had lived. The couple in Traffic had a multi-million dollar home and the Esteves had a multi-million dollar home. But, there are contrasts between the two couples. The Esteves’ are from New Jersey and the couple in Traffic comes from California. The Esteves’ are in jail while the couple in Traffic lives a “happy” ending after wiping out the rival drug cartel. In the case of the Esteves’, Desperate Housewives would make a better comparison. In Traffic, many people get killed. In Desperate Housewives, only a few get killed. According to investigators, the couple made at least $1 million a week. But, when the house was searched, one of the DEA agents said it was reminiscent of the Al Pacino film called Scarface. DEA agent Gerard McAleer explained that there were Pradas and Rolex watches. According to McAleer, the couple seemed to have hundreds of every luxury item. “There were also 100 Rolex watches,” McAleer explains. He adds: “I’m not sure Donald Trump has 100 Rolex watches. That’s the kind of money that was being made.” The coke itself got sent towards many parts of the country. If convicted, the couple can say bye-bye to the “good” life. If you live in one of these neighborhoods, be wary on who your neighbors are. But, they must've really loved Rolex watches and Pradas.