Paterson pair arrested with pot, cocaine in backyard drug bust
By Jonathan Greene
Published: April 7, 2019
The police arrested two people on drug charges early Sunday morning in the backyard of a Highland Street house.
Erick Figueroa, 25, and Angel Figueroa, 32, both of Paterson, were arrested at around 1:50 a.m. in the rear yard of 136 Highland Street.
Both were charged with drug offenses.
Police said Erick was also charged with resisting arrest. Police seized 11 baggies of cocaine, 8 baggies of marijuana, empty bags used for drug packaging, a digital scale, and heat-sealed bags containing different size baggies.
$5,479 in suspected drug money was confiscated.
The police were alerted about drug activity taking place in the rear of the first floor apartment at 136 Highland Street.
Detectives observed Angel attempt to hand a $20 bill to Erick for a purple jar containing marijuana.
Angel froze on seeing police, but Erick slammed the door on detectives. Detectives were overwhelmed by heavy marijuana odor upon gaining entry to the apartment and observed numerous plastic bags on the kitchen counter.
Erick admitted to throwing a plastic bag containing 11 bags of cocaine in the front hallway of the residence.
Angel told police he was there to purchase drugs.
Both were taken to headquarters for processing.