Paterson police arrest eight, seize cocaine at Totowa Avenue tavern
By Jonathan Greene
Published: March 6, 2019
The police arrested eight people at the Terrace Bar and Grill on Totowa Avenue on various drug offenses, police director Jerry Speziale said on Wednesday morning.
Police arrested Ramon Rivera, 47, of Haledon; Brian R. Wichowski, 28, of Little Falls; Louis Saunders, 29, of Garfield; Peter C. Saoud, 42, of Nutley; William W. Grotz, 29, of Totowa; Matthew W. Ford, 29, of Totowa; Brian J. Ametrano, 28, of Totowa; and Jose A. Velasquez, 44, of Paterson.
Rivera and Wichowski, both alleged dealers, were charged with 13 drug offenses each. Other six, alleged buyers, were each charged with a single drug offense, police said.
Police seized 10 plastic baggies of cocaine and $268 in suspected narcotics proceeds from the bust.
Undercover detectives were sent in to investigate reports that “significant amount” of drug dealing was taking place within the Terrace Bar and Grill at 36 Totowa Avenue, police said.
Police conducted an alcoholic beverage control (ABC) inspection that led to 11 administrative charges against the business.
“We will not tolerate establishments that operate illegally anymore in Paterson,” mayor Andre Sayegh said.