A woman and two men were arrested on drug charges early Wednesday morning in the area of Chadwick and Weiss streets, a block away from the weekend double shooting, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Norma Cruz, 26; Yan Dominguez, 21; and Jonathan Marcano, 27, all of Paterson, were arrested at around 1:24 a.m. on heroin and Ecstasy possession, intent to distribute, and drug possession in a school zone, authorities said.
Officers saw a silver Honda Accord driven by Cruz that had two passengers. Both passengers, Dominguez and Marcano, allegedly slouched over trying to prevent officers from seeing them inside the vehicle.
Officers approached the vehicle and requested Cruz provide license, insurance, and registration. Officers saw an unlabeled medicine bottle in the cup holder. The bottle contained suspected Ecstasy pills.
Bottle contained seven colored pills and a small clear plastic bag stamped “Black Powder.” A search of the car produced 20 bundles of heroin inside a black bag in the center console of the vehicle.
All three were arrested and taken to the Passaic County Jail after processing.
Three days earlier, two men were wounded in a shooting a block away on Main and Weiss streets, according to police.