THE PEAK NOW PERMAMENTLY CLOSED!
Pronti remains silent on the entire matter.
NORTH ARLINGTON – The business formerly known as The Peak, which opened in 2024, is now apparently out of business and closed for good.
But NA Mayor Dan Pronti has never commented on this federal raid despite welcoming this business to the community two years earlier on his FACEBOOK mayoral page, that has blocked Democrat John Balwierczak from view.
Here is the image of that grand opening and past comments by Pronti. 
On April 22, 2026, federal law enforcement officials — led by the DEA and other public safety partners—executed an early morning raid at this juice bar business, located at 258 Belleville Turnpike in North Arlington.
The raid on the local storefront was part of a broader federal narcotics investigation centered in Jersey City. The overall multi-agency operation resulted in charges against dozens of individuals, along with the seizure of approximately 15 kilograms of fentanyl, 19 firearms, and more than $160,000 in cash.
Following the April 22nd federal raid, the business apparently shut down.
Coverings were placed over its front door and windows, and it remained closed to the public.
In a recent photo, the location is now for lease. 
This was the first major crime incident in the community this year with the second, the double murder of two individuals just around the corner on Ridge Road last month where four suspects are now under arrest and in custody.
Balwierczak praised both the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and NAPD for their swift response.
Ikechi “Ike” Anaele, the registered agent and sole principal on record for North Arlington Peak LLC, was arrested as one of the primary individuals named in the April federal drug trafficking case.
Federal prosecutors charged Anaele in connection with the illegal distribution of narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine.
According to federal charging documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anaele faces federal narcotics charges carrying a 5-year mandatory minimum and up to 40 years in federal prison if convicted.
This was not the first time Anaele was mixed up in drugs.
Anaele was accused of distributing large quantities of illegal narcotics such as heroin and cocaine and has an extensive criminal past.
In an article published in 2017 by The Patch, Newark Police arrested 75 and recovered guns during a drug sweep. Eric Kiefer, the correspondent, reported that Anaele then 35 was charged with CDS possession and distribution:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/newark-cops-arrest-75-recover-guns-during-drug-sweep
Balwierczak believes it was poor judgement for Pronti to fail to address the issue with residents.
“Being transparent matters. When a business is raided by federal agencies, a local response is appropriate. I’m relieved they’re finally gone and done with. That location is an iconic landmark for the community and hopefully a new tenant will prosper in that space,” said the candidate. 
Balwierczak is challenging Pronti for mayor in the November election.
The Mayor & Council is currently dominated by all Republicans despite Democrats having a voter registration edge. Balwierczak is running with homeowners Dennis Papile and Cengiz “Jim” Sever for Borough Council.
This year’s impending property tax hike was supported by Pronti, and his running mates Mario Karcic and Donna Bocchino. No Democrat has served on the governing body since 2019.
“There is no one left to blame for this tax hike. This is Dan’s watch as his use of rolling tax assessments; more spending and debt have us in the place we are today. The problem isn’t North Arlington, the problem is Dan Pronti,” offered the Democrat.