Passaic Sheriff: Paterson Drug Dealers Had Fortified Apartment

PATERSON, N.J. -- Two accused drug dealers had the doors of their Paterson apartment fortified when members of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Bureau of Narcotics raided it, authorities said.

Christian Ortiz, Ramon Rivera Jr.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Passaic County Sheriff*

Jerry DeMarco

04/16/2016 1:49 p.m.

An investigation into the Union Avenue residence began with a call to the PSCO TIPS line, Sheriff Richard Berdnik said.

Detectives arrested Ramon Rivera Jr., 23, of Doremus Street and Christian Ortiz, 24, of Courtland Street after finding 109 folds of heroin, 10 zip-locking bags of crack and $954 in alleged proceeds during a raid Friday, the sheriff said.

Authorities believe the wood and metal bars gave the defendants time to destroy some of the drugs, he said.

Both were charged with various drug offenses -- including "maintaining an apartment in a fortified condition to distribute narcotics," Berdnik said.

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