Closter detective seizes cocaine, cash, arrests 2 after crashing drug deal

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A Closter detective grabbed two Passaic County men — one of them a Jamaican national — and seized three bags of cocaine and $2,500 in cash after spotting a drug deal going down, Chief Dennis Kaine said this morning.

Jerry DeMarco

09/26/2013 4:45 p.m.

Detective Vincent Aiello was patrolling the Closter Plaza Parking lot in an unmarked police vehicle yesterday when he saw the exchange between the two men, the chief told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

Moving quickly, Aiello alerted backups and placed both under arrest.

“The detective did an excellent job,” Kaine said.

Charged with cocaine possession was Thomas Novotny (above, right), 44, of the Haskell section of Wanaque. He was released on a summons pending a Municipal Court hearing.

The other man, identified as 33-year-old Jeffery Hennie of the Newfoundland section of West Milford, was being held on $110,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail. Hennie is from Jamaica, where he remains a citizen, records show.

Hennie is charged with several cocaine possession charges in connection with the intent to distribute it within 500 feet of a public playground/recreational facility and hindering apprehension.

MUGSHOTS: Courtesy CLOSTER PD

Click here to follow Daily Voice South Passaic and receive free news updates.