Paterson police met with alleged dealer, potentially coronavirus-infected buyer during drug raid
By Jonathan Greene
Published: March 31, 2020
After getting numerous complaints of drug activity, the police raided a house on Knickerbocker Avenue on Monday, arresting an alleged drug dealer and a potentially coronavirus-infected buyer, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Police arrested Mohd Danoun, 45, of Paterson, and his alleged 38-year-old Paterson buyer during a raid at 367 Knickerbocker Avenue at around 7 p.m. Both men were charged with various drug offenses, police said.
Police seized $16,794 in suspected drug proceeds. $4,973 from Danoun and $11,821 from the alleged buyer. Police confiscated 54 Oxycontin pills and 466 grams of marijuana in the raid.
During the arrest, the 38-year-old buyer told detectives he may have had Covid-19. He coughed near the two officers, Speziale said. Police investigation revealed the suspect had been previously hospitalized for pneumonia.
Speziale said both detectives were decontaminated and released from duty. Both officers were allowed to go home and take precautionary actions. Neither are showing any signs of contracting the virus and will be allowed to return to duty shortly, he said. The vehicle used by the detectives was left in the police parking lot to be disinfected.
The alleged seller and buyer were charged and released.