Paterson grocery store owner busted selling heroin out of Union Avenue storefront, $16,000 cash seized, police say
By Jonathan Greene
Published: September 17, 2020
The police arrested a grocery store owner for allegedly selling heroin out of his Union Avenue storefront and seized $16,575 in suspected drug proceeds, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Jose Acevedo, 51-year-old, of Paterson, has been charged with 12 drug offenses. Police observed him conduct a hand-to-hand drug sale inside his store MC Power Grill and Deli at 532 Union Avenue at around 10:35 a.m. on Thursday.
Acevedo’s customer Carlos Alicea-Martinez, 60, of Paterson, was quickly arrested a short distance away.
Alicea-Martinez had seven glassine envelopes of heroin. He was charged with drug possession.
Police raided Acevedo’s grocery store and his house simultaneously at around 11:53 a.m.
Acevedo had 40 glassine envelopes of heroin in his possession at the store. A search of the store yielded 50 more glassine envelopes of heroin, some marijuana, and $587 in cash.
Police searched his house at 1-3 Garrison Street. 50 grams of marijuana, 5 Oxycodone tablets, and $15,988 in cash was seized from his house.
Police officers set up a surveillance operation after receiving information the store’s owner was selling drugs out of the business, police said.