A few weeks ago, three (3) people in Harrison NJ were arrested after they allegedly received a package containing $40,000.00 worth of MDMA, a synthetic club drug similar to ecstasy.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) noticed the suspicious package and alerted both the Harrison Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Then the postal service, under the surveillance of Harrison police officers, delivered the package to a 26-year-old woman at a Paterson Street residence.
When the woman signed for the package, she was arrested.
According to police, the package was intended for the woman’s boyfriend, 31-year-old Jaime Melgar. Mr. Melgar was arrested at his place of work in Newark.
After he was arrested, Mr. Melgar told police that his cousin had offered him $500.00 to accept the package. Hours later, Mr. Melgar’s cousin, 33-year-old Linda Balovcik, and her husband, 37-year-old Pavel Balovcik, arrived at the Paterson Street home to pick up the package. Mr. and Ms. Balovcik are residents of Delanco Township in Burlington County.
Mr. Melgar, Ms. Balovcik, and Mr. Balovcik have all been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (CDS). The woman who initially signed for the package has not yet been charged because police are still investigating her involvement.
MDMA, also known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is the active ingredient in Ecstasy. Possession of MDMA is prohibited by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, which also criminalizes the possession of cocaine and heroin. Additionally, the statute sets forth the penalties for possession of Ecstasy. Because the total amount of MDMA delivered to the residence was greater than five (5) ounces, it could be classified as a first degree crime. If convicted, Mr. Meglar, Ms. Balovcik, and Mr. Balovcik could each be sentenced to up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
After being arrested, Mr. Melgar and Mr. Balovcik were taken to Hudson County Jail. Mr. Melgar was held on $75,000.00 bail, while Mr. Balovcik was held on $100,000.00 bail. Ms. Balovcik was released on her own recognizance.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Harrison Man, Burlington County Couple Arrested After $40K in Drugs Shipped to Harrison Home: Cops.”
