Paterson police nab 12 in drug sweep
By Jayed Rahman
Published: February 27, 2016
A dozen people were arrested and charged with various drug offenses during the city’s weekly narcotics sweep that led to the recovery of more than 500 glassines of heroin, according to police.
Police seized 518 glassines of heroin, 65 baggies of crack-cocaine, 60 grams of Molly, 4 grams of powder cocaine, and 4 bags plus 1 jar of marijuana from February 17th to 22nd, 2016, said police director Jerry Speziale.
$7,223 in suspected drug proceeds and a handgun was also seized, said the director.
Arrested during the sweep were city residents William B. Johnson also known as “Raheem,” 36, of Rosa Parks Boulevard; Salim A. Rollins, 31, of Presidential Boulevard; Frankie R. Evans also known as “Rodney Evans,” 32, of Presidential Boulevard; Akeem J. Young aka “Danger,” 27, of Presidential Boulevard; Craig Denson aka “News,” 26, of Presidential Boulevard; Latavia T. Gonzalez, 26, of Presidential Boulevard; Dane M. Rochester, 26, of East 33rd Street; and Vaughn S. Kelly, 21, of East 24th Street.
Police also arrested three Hope residents Kasey Morgan, 23; Francis W. Holmberg, 23; and Kyle Apgar, 26.
Jason Dzubera, 36, of Lodi was also arrested, according to police.
Police said Johnson was arrested on North Main and Arch Streets on February 17th, 2016. He allegedly had 71 glassines of heroin and 65 baggies of crack-cocaine, according to police.
$322 in suspected drug money was seized from Johnson.
The three Hope residents – Holmberg, Morgan, and Apgar — were busted the same day at 145 Presidential Boulevard. Each was charged with having 60 glassines of heroin, according to police.
The next day police arrested Rollins, Evans, Young, Denson, and Gonzalez at 125 Presidential Boulevard.
All five were charged with having 23 glassines of heroin, 60 grams of molly, 4 grams of powdered cocaine, 4 bags and 1 jar of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a Burgo .22 caliber revolver. $1,472 in suspected drug money was seized, according to police.
Dzuberan was arrested with 30 glassines of heroin at 490 Park Avenue on the same day, according to police.
On February 19th, 2016, police arrested Rochester with 81 glassines of heroin and $912 in suspected drug proceeds.
Kelly was arrested on February 22nd, 2016 with 253 glassines of heroin at 545 East 24th Street, said the director.
Police said Kelly resisted arrest by fleeing. $4,517 in supposed drug money was seized during the arrest, according to police.
“We will continue weekly to combat the scourge of illegal drugs in our city,” said Speziale. “The message should be loud and clear as the demand and suppliers will be focused upon.”