Paterson couple used their River Street residence, business to distribute drugs, says sheriff
By Jonathan Greene
Published: May 8, 2022
A couple that was allegedly using their residence and business on River Street to deal drugs was busted on Thursday, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Authorities said the couple Steven A. Mejia-Escoto and Andry Hernandez-Paulino used both places to stash and sell drugs.
One of their alleged customers, Juan P. Varona, was observed buying cocaine and then getting into a taxi to leave the area.
Detectives pulled over the taxi and found Varona in possession of cocaine. Authorities then executes search warrants at the couple’s business, Multi-Services LLC, and their residence, both on River Street in Paterson.
Detectives seized 13.35 ounces of suspected cocaine, 1.15 ounces of suspected heroin, a ghost gun, and $15,259 cash.
Drugs seized has a street value of $30,000, authorities said.
Mejia-Escoto and Hernandez-Paulino were charged with numerous drugs and weapons offenses. Their alleged customer, Varona, was charged with drug possession and released.