2,516 bags of heroin found in 18th Avenue heroin mill
By Jonathan Greene
Published: February 25, 2014
A traffic stop last week resulted in the arrest of a heroin mill operator, according to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.
Paul Mussenden, 30-year-old, city resident, was arrested during a traffic stop last week after a three months investigation by the sheriff’s office. “The suspect was arrested last week, during a traffic stop, and had 1000 glassine envelopes of heroin and $460.00 in his possession at the time of his arrest,” said Richard Berdnik, the county sheriff, in a statement.
Detectives then raided 47 18th Avenue, the suspect’s residence. Inside the home officers found 1,516 glassine bags of heroin, making the total packaged heroin ready for distribution belonging to Mussenden 2,516 glassine bags. “Detectives conducted a search of the residence and an additional 1,516 glassine envelopes were recovered, along with 2 ounces of raw heroin,” said Berdnik. “Also recovered were several thousand empty glassine envelopes, rubber bands, several different ink stamps (which are used to brand the heroin) and digital scales, which were all consistent with a heroin mill.”
Mussenden used the home to measure and package raw heroin into packets that can be readily distributed and sold on the streets by petty drug dealers. The sheriff estimates the street value of packaged heroin recovered from the arrest to be in excess of $75,000.
“The vehicle Mussenden was occupying (2011 Honda Odyssey) is subject to forfeiture proceedings as well as the currency,” said Berdnik. “Mussenden was transported to Paterson Police Department cell block and later received a $200,000 bail with no 10% option.”