🚨 Bergen County Man Accused Of Distributing Fentanyl That Killed 18-Year-Old

A Ridgefield Park man has been arrested in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of an 18-year-old woman in Guttenberg, according to police.

Authorities say officers responded to a medical emergency at a private residence on May 10, 2024, around 4:42 p.m. When officers arrived, they found the victim unresponsive. The woman was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined the death was caused by a controlled dangerous substance that contained fentanyl.

Following a months-long investigation, detectives identified Joshua V. Burgos, 30, of Ridgefield Park, as the individual who allegedly distributed the narcotics that led to the fatal overdose.

On March 2, 2026, detectives arrested Burgos at a residence in Ridgefield Park. During the arrest, police say they recovered numerous pills of an unknown nature, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.

Burgos has been charged with first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death under New Jersey law. He was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Center and is awaiting his first appearance in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City.

Guttenberg Police Chief Frank Pelaez praised detectives involved in the investigation and emphasized the department’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for distributing illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, which has been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths across the region.

Authorities remind the public that the charges are accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.