The New Jersey State Police conducted a drug investigation and raid that yielded almost $1 million worth of drugs, authorities said.
Pedro Rodriguez Avalo, 30-year-old, of Paterson, has been charged with numerous drug offenses. He was arrested on June 27 following a raid at his residence on Lily Street near North 7th Street, authorities said.
Rodriguez was allegedly running a drug mill out of his residence. Authorities seized 3.6 pounds of fentanyl in powder form, 1,300 fentanyl pills, 150 methamphetamine pills, and drug paraphernalia.
All of the drugs seized has a street value of $995,000, authorities said.
“Criminal enterprises that set up shop in neighborhoods erode public safety, threaten public health, damage quality of life, and show a disrespect for our communities that will not be tolerated,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “Illegal drugs are poison for users and for those municipalities where an illicit drug marketplace has taken hold. My office, the New Jersey State Police and the Paterson Police Department will continue working to rid the city of Paterson — and the State of New Jersey – of these illegal enterprises.”
Platkin took control of the Paterson Police Department in March.
Rodriguez was identified as a suspect who was unloading deadly fentanyl pills throughout Paterson in May. He appeared before a judge following the arrest. Prosecutors filed an unsuccessful motion to keep him in jail until the charges are resolved.