Paterson police seize 5,800 bags of heroin in Market Street bust
By Jonathan Greene
Published: January 8, 2019
Detectives broke up a drug production facility on Market Street, seizing an assortment of drugs, including almost 5,800 glassine envelopes of heroin, on Monday night.
Police arrested four city residents, Richard Ocasio, 39; Francisco Vidal, 51; Edson Carranza, 35; and Twahee Howard, 38, during the raid at 32 Market Street. Each is charged with numerous drug offenses, police said.
Detectives received confidential information that large quantities of drugs were being packaged and sold from a rear apartment at the building. Police said the apartment was used to re-supply drug dealers in the area.
Police discovered the apartment was fortified with metal bars on the window, a metal gate for added security on the front entrance door, and a video surveillance system.
Detectives raided the apartment at around 7:46 p.m., seizing 5,774 glassine envelopes of heroin, 35 Ecstasy pills, 13 baggies and 10 vials of MDMA, 4 bags of heroin, 5 bags of cocaine, 1 jar of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Police confiscated a Smith and Wesson 40 caliber handgun along with 47 40 caliber rounds and one high capacity magazine. Police also seized $1,309 in suspected drug proceeds from Ocasio, $268 from Vidal, and $86 from Howard.
“The location was used as a production and distribution facility and now closed based on the tireless efforts of the Narcotics Division and community collaboration,” police director Jerry Speziale said in announcing the raid.