Paterson NJ police arrested a local man who allegedly had a large quantity of heroin in his possession.
According to law enforcement, police received a tip about heroin being distributed near May Street and Highland Street in Paterson, New Jersey. So the Passaic County Sheriff s Office Bureau of Narcotics opened an investigation.
Passaic County detectives conducted surveillance and reportedly saw the suspect selling heroin. The suspect allegedly held a small cardboard box filled with glassine envelopes of heroin as he waved down a passing vehicle.
Police officers moved toward the suspect, prompting the driver of the motor vehicle, an SUV, to flee the scene.
When Passaic County police searched the suspect and seized the cardboard box he was carrying, they allegedly found 500 glassine envelopes packed with heroin. Officials indicated that the street value of the heroin is approximately $2,500.
The suspect, a 21-year-old male who lives in Paterson NJ, was placed under arrest and charged with numerous drug crimes, including possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and distribution of heroin near a school.
If the suspect is convicted on the most serious charges of distributing heroin, he faces significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, distribution of even a trace amount of heroin is a third degree felony that carries a penalty of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
One factor in any punishment handed down to the suspect could be the fact that he had previous charges for selling heroin. According to Passaic County police, the suspect was arrested in July 2015 when detectives saw him conducting a drug transaction.
For further information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Paterson Man Had 500 Heroin Packets, Sheriff Says.”
