Paterson man arrested with almost 5,400 bags of heroin in Long Branch’s largest drug bust in 20 years
By Jonathan Greene
Published: August 30, 2015
A 43-year-old city man was arrested in Long Branch on drug charges for having 5,359 decks of heroin valued at $40,000, according to the Long Branch Police Department.
Christopher “Choice” Schwartz, 43-year-old, of 366 11th Avenue, was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2015, in the largest Long Branch drug bust in two decade, according to Public Safety Director Jason Roebuck.
“This seizure is the largest that I can remember here for the last 20 years,” Roebuck said.
Detectives Joseph Spitale, Richard O’Brien, and Nick Romano caught Schwartz during a motor vehicle stop of his 2014 Kia Optima in connection with an ongoing drug investigation, police said.
Schwartz is charged with possession of heroin, cocaine, as well as distribution, distribution near a park, a federal housing building, and a school, police said.
Police obtained a search warrant on August 26 to go through Schwartz’s vehicle that resulted in additional drug charges.
Schwartz bail was initially set at $180,000, but after the search of his vehicle the bail amount was increased to $280,000 cash only, police said.
$753 in cash was confiscated as drug proceeds, police said.
Long Branch is a beach town in Monmouth County with 30,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census.
“The Street Crimes Unit, led by Lt Jeff Grippaldi, is doing an outstanding job fighting against illegal narcotics in the City,” Roebuck said. “They are to be commended for this and their continuing work.”