Crime & Safety

Alleged Cocaine Dealer Nabbed at Home Near School

Sheriff's Office finds $14,000 worth of cocaine in man's home on Towsen Road.

A Wayne man living near Anthony Wayne Middle School was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute after the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant at the man’s home recently.

Josue Ramirez, 31, was charged after detectives from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Narcotics searched Ramirez’s Towsen Road home, the sheriff’s office said in a press release issued Sunday afternoon.

A month-long investigation began after authorities received information regarding cocaine distribution from within the home, the release said.

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Authorities seized 2.6 ounces of cocaine and drug paraphernalia from Ramirez’s home, authorities said. The cocaine had a street value of $14,000.

Ramirez was charged with third- and second-degree possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession, and second-degree distribution of cocaine.

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Bill Maer, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said Ramirez posted $25,000 bail on Sunday.

“The Sheriff’s Office will aggressively investigate and arrest individuals involved in narcotics distribution,” Sheriff Richard Berdnik said in the release. “This arrest shows the unfortunate reality that drugs are prevalent throughout both urban and suburban parts of Passaic County. This arrest was made because of the hardworking and dedication of the hard work and dedication of the various members of the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Bureau involved in this investigation.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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