Three alleged city drug dealers were arrested during a 12-hour operation targeting high drug areas in Paterson, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Miquel Chappelle, 42; Jhazir Briggs, 19; and Quadaire Davis, 26, were arrested on various drug offenses.
Detectives Brian Weitzman, Joseph Cammisa, and Raphael Garcia observed Chappelle on Stout Street near North Main Street at around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday engage in a drug transaction inside a vehicle. The detectives pulled over the vehicle and were struck by strong marijuana odor coming from Chappelle’s pants that were bulging on both side pockets.
Authorities recovered 80 baggies of marijuana worth $2,000 on the street from Chappelle’s cargo shorts he was wearing under his sweatpants, Berdnik said. The sheriff said $185 in drug proceeds was confiscated.
Chappelle was with drug possession and intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of School 28. At around 11:45 p.m. authorities on Park Avenue near East 23rd Street observed hand-to-hand drug transactions and stopped several suspicious individuals.
Briggs was arrested with 46 small ziplock baggies of crack cocaine, authorities said. Berdnik said Briggs was charged with possession, distribution, and intent to deal 1,000 feet of School 13.
At around 3:37 a.m. on Wednesday, authorities conducted a motor vehicle stop on Ellison and Carroll Street. Davis was arrested during the stop for having in possession crack cocaine, marijuana, and MDMA, authorities said.
Davis also had a $500 warrant out of Linden.
“I want to commend all the Officers and Detectives involved in making these three arrests,” Berdnik said. “The PCSO will continue to activity investigate and arrest those involved in narcotic activity.”