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The 23 people were charged with various controlled dangerous substance offenses after an investigation that began last May, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes and numerous police chiefs said.
Law enforcement in Wayne and Pompton Lakes began investigating after responding to complaints about the sale of cocaine in the area, Valdes said. The investigation expanded into other municipalities in Passaic County, as more drug users and distributors were identified, Valdes said.
An initial raid last September throughout Passaic and Bergen counties resulted in the arrest of 10 adults and the seizure of $64,104 dollars, over 13 oz. of cocaine, over 2 lbs. of marijuana, and over 100 oxycodone pills, Valdes said.
The investigation expanded further into North Jersey, as law enforcement honed in on narcotics suppliers, Valdes said. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 18 search warrants were executed in Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties, resulting in the arrest of 13 people, charged with distributing controlled dangerous substances and weapons offenses.
Evidence seized as part of the February search warrant, included $244,205 in cash, four kg. of cocaine, 1.7 lbs. of heroin,1.2 lbs. of fentanyl, 1.7 oz. of crack cocaine, numerous prescription pills and eight firearms, Valdes said.
This is the second massive drug bust in North Jersey announced this week. On Wednesday, March 5, the AG's office released the arrests of 20 people in a major takedown of a heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring, most of which were Passaic County residents.
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