The Paterson Police Department is currently conducting an investigation in connection with $2 million worth of heroin that was recently found in an unoccupied Paterson residence.
According to Glenn Brown, the director of the Paterson Police Department, an officer made the discovery on Friday, February 7th after entering a home located on North 4th Street on the Northside of Paterson. The door to the residence had been left open, compelling the detective to investigate for a potential break-in or burglary. Instead, he found a broken television containing 3.7 kilograms of heroin, the street value of which has been estimated at $2 million.
Officials are currently attempting to identify anyone with a connection to the building, which may have been abandoned, and have yet to make any arrests in connection with the case.
Paterson Police Captain Troy Oswald said authorities suspect that the heroin was involved in a drug distribution scheme, as it was left in brick-form, which is generally parceled into smaller quantities before being sold. In addition, a scale and a clamp, typical tools utilized in heroin packaging, were retrieved from the house with the heroin. The quantity of heroin found also indicates the owner’s intention to distribute it. Due to the estimated street value reported, a heroin amount of approximately 130 ounces may be involved in this specific case.
If one or more persons are identified and charged as a result of the investigation, they will likely face charges for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing heroin, which is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5. According to this statute, an offense involving an amount of five ounces or more is classified as a crime of the first degree, which is punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Those convicted of these crimes may also be subject to a fine of up to $500,000.
Notably, manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing heroin violations are also subject to sentencing under the “Brimage Guidelines,” which eliminates the defense attorney’s opportunity to argue for a downward departure at the time of sentencing.
Updates on this investigation will be provided as they become available.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Paterson police confiscate $2M in heroin
