Three men were arrested and charged with drug offenses during a drug bust at a Park Avenue apartment complex, police director Jerry Speziale said on Thursday night.
Detectives apprehended Christopher Atrash, 49, of Hopatcong; John Parker, 32, of Paterson; and Terence Pailen, 40, of Paterson, during the raid at 490 Park Avenue at around 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, police said.
Police confiscated 910 glassine envelopes of heroin, 5 baggies of cocaine weighing 31 grams, and 3 baggies of powder cocaine weighing 3 grams.
Speziale said police seized the drugs from Pailen, a resident of the apartment complex. $17,281 in suspected drug proceeds was seized from the alleged dealer, according to police.
Detectives confiscated drug paraphernalia during the raid, police said.
Authorities charged Pailen with nine drug offenses. Atash was charged with possession of 20 bags of heroin and 1 bag of crack cocaine, authorities said.
Parker was charged with loitering to commit a drug offense. He had a crack pipe in his possession, authorities said.
Speziale said a complaint from a concerned resident led to the big bust. He said police received information that a heavy set, dark skin man with dreadlocks, tips colored, was selling drugs within 490 Park Avenue.
Detectives matched the description and began investigating.
“Skilled investigators put a quick end to this illegal operation based on a mere complaint and their determination,” Speziale said.