MORRISTOWN, N.J. — An upstate New York man who allegedly ran an illegal offshore gambling operation for the Lucchese crime family has made his first appearance before a New Jersey judge.

Sixty-one-year-old Ronald Cohen of Buffalo faces charges of money laundering and promoting gambling.

Cohen was arrested May 16 at Buffalo International Airport and brought to New Jersey on Wednesday. He posted $100,000 bail on Thursday.

The charges stem from Operation Heat, a New Jersey-based investigation that has led to the indictment of 34 alleged members and associates of the New York-based Lucchese crime family — including two high-ranking leaders.

Cohen’s lawyer, Robert Dunn of Morristown, was in court Friday and not immediately available for comment.