Crime & Safety

325 Arrested in North Jersey Heroin Task Force Sweep, Prosecutor Says

The eight-week initiative in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties targeted alleged sellers and users of the 'most potent' heroin in the US, prosecutor said.

Three hundred twenty five locals were arrested in an undercover drug sweep that targeted drug sales in Paterson between April 7 and May 30, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Molinelli joined Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes to announce the arrest results of the “2014 Heroin Initiative.”

The eight-week task force combined law enforcement officers from Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Morris Counties to “combat the heroin epidemic affecting our counties,” Knapp said in a release. According to the release, the heroin sold in Paterson is the “most pure and potent” in the US.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Of the 325 people arrested, the prosecutor said more than 280 were users and 40 were dealers.

Cops seized about 1,200 grams of raw heroin during the operation, which is about 60,000 bags on the street, and an additional 12,000 bags from users, Knapp said.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The seized heroin was worth about $350,000, authorities said.

Cops also seized 30 guns and over $25,000 cash, Knapp said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.