06-03-2025
Massive North Jersey drug bust nets 23 arrests. Here's what police found
TOTOWA − A multi-agency drug investigation resulted in 23 arrests and seizures across several North Jersey towns, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said Thursday.
The investigation started in May 2024 when the Wayne and Pompton Lakes police departments received complaints about the sale of cocaine in Pompton Lakes and other areas of Passaic County. The investigation later expanded to include the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and the Haledon, Clifton, and Passaic police departments as well as the United States Secret Service.
The long-term investigation was ultimately carried out in two phases in collaboration with numerous local, state and federal partners.
The first phase of the investigation resulted in seven search warrants and led to the arrests of 10 people who Valdes described as "lower-level buyers." Evidence recovered during the first phase of the investigation included more than $64,000 in cash, 13 ounces of cocaine, two pounds of marijuana, and 100 oxycodone pills.
The second phase of the investigation, which focused on narcotics suppliers, resulted in an additional 18 search warrants in locations throughout Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties. As a result, 13 more people were arrested and charged with various charges related to the distribution of controlled dangerous substances as well as weapons offenses. Among the most serious charges is first degree maintaining a controlled substance production facility which carries a sentence of between 10 and 20 years in prison.
Product was obtained from New York City, specifically the Bronx, and brought back to North Jersey for distribution by way of vehicles and residences, Valdes said.
To date, the investigation has resulted in 23 arrests in several North Jersey towns including Paterson, Wayne, Garfield, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes, Haledon, Totowa, Passaic, Harrison and Lyndhurst. The arrested individuals include four women and 19 men ranging in age from 23 to 64 years old.
Per Valdes, the majority of the individuals arrested in the first phase have been processed and released. As for the second phase, the Prosecutor's Office filed for seven detentions. Of those, three people have been detained, three have been released and one is pending a detention hearing.
To date, a total of over $300,000 in cash, four kilograms of cocaine, two pounds of marijuana, 1.7 pounds of heroin, 1.2 pounds of fentanyl, 1.7 ounces of crack cocaine and numerous prescription pills including OxyContin and Percocet have been recovered throughout this investigation along with firearms, ammunition and vehicles.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office asks anyone with additional information to contact its tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@
This article originally appeared on Passaic County NJ police lead nearly yearlong drug investigation
