The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has arrested more than 325 people in an eight-week effort of combatting the use of heroin across northern New Jersey. The effort has been headed by Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli, with his counterparts from Passaic and Morris counties.
Reuters reports that Prosecutor John Molinello announced that roughly 280 users and 40 dealers were arrested, ranging in age from 18 to 65.
The heroin sweep began in May. Law enforcement agents first targeted buyers and sales of the drug in the city of Paterson.
North Jersey News reports that Prosecutor Molinello said, “These are otherwise good and decent people. And if we don’t start to make these kinds of efforts now, tomorrow we will be dealing with a whole new generation of heroin abusers.”
Cliffview Pilot reports that authorities seized 32 guns, $25,000 in U.S. currency, nearly 12,000 bags of heroin and 1,200 grams of raw powdered heroin. The eight-week operation seized a combined value of nearly a half-million dollars in illegal possessions.
Overall, more than 50 law enforcement agencies contributed to the effort.