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Jury convicts Turk from Paterson of selling Oxy, X

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A federal jury in Newark today convicted a Turkish citizen living in Paterson of trafficking Oxycodone and Ecstasy on the black market, following a six-day trial.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot File Photo

Bahadir Yahsi, 30, potentially faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million when he is sentenced next April, although the final punishment is likely to be far less than either.

Jurors convicted him of conspiring to sell the drugs, having the drugs and having them with the intent to distribute, as outlined in a federal grand jury indictment returned two months after his March 2011 arrest.

Authorities said Yahsi conspired with others — including Ersin Eroglu, a fellow Turk from Paterson — to peddle the pills.

They collared both after setting up a series of undercover buys in Paterson near the Clifton border.

In one, Yahsi and Eroglu dealt 96 80-milligram black market Oxycodone pills, federal agents said. In three others, Yahsi sold Ecstasy, they said.

Eroglu has pleaded guilty to distribution charges and is awaiting sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Paul S. Fishman credited special agents of the FBI for the investigation leading to today’s guilty verdict, secured by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shirley U. Emehelu and Mark J. McCarren of his office.

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