Paterson police seize 4,520 bags of heroin in drug bust targeting street gang
By Jayed Rahman
Published: December 21, 2017
Four people were arrested in a drug bust on 10th Avenue late Tuesday morning, according to police director Jerry Speziale.
Police confiscated 4,520 glassines of heroin and a Taurus Millennium G2 PT 111 handgun from the localized street gang known as “Icy Hot.” Their business suffered a chill after detectives began investigating drug activity on their turf on 10th Avenue and East 28th Street in November that led to the arrests and a raid at 428 East 19th Street.
City residents Nhazir Smith, 19; Eston Sanchez, 57; Hudhaifa Johnson, 18; and Laurie Macon, 47, were arrested at around 11:54 a.m., said police. Smith and Johnson were each charged with 9 drugs and weapons offenses. Macon and Sanchez were charged with heroin possession.
Police said the handgun was reported stolen. $5,072 in drug money was seized, said police.
“We will continue to attack, one brick, block and person at a time until we rid the city of drugs,” said Speziale. He said the investigation began with a confidential tip.