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Major NJ-Based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out Major NJ-Based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out
Major Nj-based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out More than 20 pounds of fentanyl and an additional 9,000 doses of the deadly drug were seized with the arrests of eight members of a major trafficking ring that operated on both sides of the Hudson River, authorities said. Those charged in the federally-led offensive range in age from 37 to 60. They come from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania but operated primarily in and around Union County, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. The multi-pronged, eight-month operation relied on all levels of law enforcement, from federal agents to local police who watched and document…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen A North Jersey man was convicted Tuesday, Sept. 20 of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl over the course of two years, authorities said. Jeff Banatte, 37, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. The Scotch Plains man sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions when she was between 13 and 15 years old, the prosecutor said. Banatte is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Oct. 21. “We are grateful for the co…

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by Nicole Acosta
Police & Fire
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery A 54-year-old man was sentenced to time in New Jersey State Prison for using a fake gun to rob his former employer, McDonald's during what he said was a "practical joke" while out on bail for another robbery, authorities announced. During a Friday hearing, Union County Superior Court Judge Robert A. Kirsch ruled that Plainfield's Thomas H. Outland must serve a minimum of 85% of the sentence before the possibility of parole, under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.  Outland and an unidentified co-conspirator both wearing ski masks and holding guns entered the Route 22 …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles
Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles A group of owners and operators sold pot and THC products out of smoke shops in Englewood, Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains, charged authorities who busted them during a series of raids. Detectives assisted by the DEA seized seizure of hundreds of pounds of marijuana, THC edibles and THC wax/oil, along with $305,000 in illicit proceeds, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. They arrested co-owners Michael Ligus, 24, and Damian Harry Wesler Sr., 44, along with Damian H. Wesler Jr., 22, all of Ringwood, and were arrested, along with Anthony Garcia, 45, of Secaucus and Ezekiel Pau…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill 130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill
130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill More than 130 animals were seized from an illegal puppy mill run from a Scotch Plains home that authorities said was in deplorable condition. Authorities charged Dominick Ciabattari, 60, with 10 criminal offenses and four disorderly violations -- and said they expect to add more -- after recovering two dozen cats, 71 Chihuahuas, 18 Golden Retrievers, 17 Pomeranians and 3 Pekingese dogs, officials said. They ranged from newborn to fully-grown, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Scotch Plains Police Chief Ted Conley said in a joint announcement Wednesday. "The preliminary i…

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by Cecilia Levine