Drug Archives - MICHAEL O. ALLEN

TEANECK MAN HELD AS FUGITIVE

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Saturday, May 9, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | Two Star | NEWS | A04

A 31-year-old township man, wanted by North Carolina since 1988 for trafficking in cocaine and heroin, was captured while trying to cash a check, police said Friday.

Wanted on a June 1988 fugitive warrant, Sterling Anthony Mapp surfaced two weeks ago when he tried to open a savings account and cash two checks at the Provident Savings Bank in Teaneck, Police Detective Dean Kazinci said.

Mapp, whose last known address was 443 Cedar Lane, had assumed a new identity: Victor Roberts of the same address, complete with a valid New Jersey driver’s license, Kazinci said.

Victor Roberts Social Security number turned out to be invalid, however, and the teller would not complete the transaction. The bank also reported the incident to police. The teller identified Mapp, through a photograph, as the man who was in the bank, Kazinci said. When Mapp returned to the bank at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to again try to cash the two checks, a teller called police and he was taken into custody for questioning.

An FBI fingerprint check later confirmed Mapp’s identity, although he denied that was his name, Kazinci said. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and of narcotics paraphernalia after police found marijuana and a pipe in his possession at the time of his arrest.

He was being held Friday in the Bergen County Jail on $5,000 bail on the Teaneck charges.

May 9, 1992

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TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By MICHAEL O. ALLEN | Monday, April 27, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | All Editions | NEWS | A09

After responding to a report of an unconscious man with possible cardiac arrest, Moonachie police charged Charles A. Jacobus with being under the influence of drugs and his host with assorted drug-related offenses.

Jacobus, of Moonachie, was in fair condition Sunday night, said a nursing supervisor at Hackensack Medical Center, where he was taken Saturday after being revived.

Police Officer Michael Maguire saw hypodermic needles in a basket and a marijuana cigarette in an ashtray in the living room of an apartment at 47 Albert St., Lt. Michael McGhan said.

Albert Stola, 50, who lives in the apartment, was charged with six counts of possessing narcotics and drug paraphernalia and fraudulently obtaining methadone. He was being held in the Bergen County Jail on Sunday in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Jacobus, 38, will be arraigned on charges of being under the influence of a drug, possession of heroin, and possession of a hypodermic needle after his release from the hospital.

April 27, 1992

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MOTHER JAILED ON DRUG, ENDANGERMENT CHARGES

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Thursday, April 9, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | 5 Star | NEWS | B03

A 29-year-old woman has been jailed on charges that she ran a crack house and endangered her 9-year-old daughter’s welfare, police said.

Bretna Roberts, who was being held in the Bergen County Jail on Wednesday on $27,000 bail, was arrested at her 460 Orchard St. home Sunday by officers responding to an anonymous tip, said Police Capt. C. Kenneth Tinsley.

Officer Timothy Torell, assisted by Detective Ernest Cunningham and Lt. John Delarosa, discovered when he arrived at the house that Roberts was also wanted on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in Englewood Municipal Court on Jan. 29.

After a crack vial, a crack pipe, and a butane lighter fell out of Roberts pants pocket as she dressed to follow the officers, they searched the house and found several vials containing what police suspect to be crack. Some of the substances in the vials are suspected of being soap or some other form of imitation crack, police said.

They also found a plastic bag with a white, powdery substance that they suspect is cocaine; a jar and spoon used to cook cocaine powder until it crystallizes into rock cocaine, and marijuana cigarettes.

Tinsley said the materials were sent to the state police laboratory for testing.

Roberts also is charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of the Cleveland Elementary School.

In an incident on the same street five hours later, a motorist fired two shots into the front window of a house. Police said the two incidents may be related and are investigating.

April 9, 1992

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DEA RETURNS TO HOUSE; Washington Township Site Was Raided in 1990

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Saturday, March 14, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | All Editions | NEWS | A03

Federal drug agents returned Friday to remove materials from a house that was the scene of a similar raid almost two years ago, when they took chemicals from the premises.

A spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration declined to say what was removed from the house at 451 Ridgewood Road.

“The house is under custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and they are just taking out different materials out of the house,” DEA Special Agent Victor M. Pedalino said. “There is no other comment that I’m going to make at this time.”

About a half-dozen workers in protective gear were observed labeling and removing oil drums and bottles from the house and garage. Three large trucks being used by the workers were parked on the property.

Pedalino declined to say whether Keith Mantell, who operated a chemical company called Isogenics out of the house, was ever charged following the May 1990 raid, or whether Friday’s activity came as a result of that raid. He also declined to say when the Marshal Service took control of the house.

At the time of the raid two years ago, township officials tried to calm residents fears by informing them chemicals stored at the home did not contaminate the neighborhood.
Friday, Township Administrator Agnes Smith referred all questions to Police Chief Justin Georgetti, who referred all questions to the DEA.

Caption: Federal agents removing materials Friday from a Ridgewood Road house in Washington Township. PHOTO – AL PAGLIONE / THE RECORD

March 14, 1992

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SAMARITAN TURNED ROBBER, COPS SAY

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Sunday, March 8, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | All Editions | NEWS | A07

A 25-year-old man who was stranded when his car broke down Saturday fought off an attacker who reluctantly gave him a ride, then drove him to a secluded spot, put a hunting knife to his throat, and demanded his money, police said.

Although both men are New Milford residents, chance threw them together for the first time Saturday, Teaneck Detective Dean Kazinci said.

After his late-model car broke down on New Milford Avenue in Bergenfield shortly before 4 a.m., the victim walked to Teaneck Road and crossed paths with David Wohllenben.

Wohllenben, 20, at first refused to give the victim a ride but he “circled the block, then came back and offered to give him a ride,” Kazinci said.

Wohllenben allegedly drove to the rear of Jobber Auto Parts at 1555 Teaneck Road. He opened the passenger door, produced a hunting knife that he put to the victim’s throat, and demanded his money, Kazinci said.

The victim used his right hand to fend off knife, sustaining a slight cut in the palm, police said. The victim then fled into a back yard and onto Teaneck Road, where he hailed Teaneck Police Officer Dennis Kleiber.

When Bergenfield Police Officer John Casper stopped Wohllenben about 4:20 a.m. at West Main Street and Franklin Avenue, he saw the hunting knife under the driver’s seat, Kazinci said.

After the victim identified Wohllenben as the attacker, Bergenfield police charged him with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and bail was set at $2,500. Teaneck police charged him with armed robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and aggravated assault, Kazinci said.
Wohllenben was remanded to the Bergen County Jail on $75,000 bail.

Notes: Bergen page

March 8, 1992

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COCAINE PROFITS AID CRIME FIGHT

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Friday, March 6, 1992

The Record (New Jersey) | 5 Star | NEWS | B03

Leonidas Paula’s ill-gotten gains from the cocaine sales he made from his Little Ferry apartment until he was arrested 16 months ago will go to good use helping local law enforcement fight crime.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Little Ferry Police Department recently were on the receiving end of a check for $135,000, which was split 50-50. It was their share of $169,000 that Paula forfeited as part of a 15-year prison sentence for three counts of cocaine distribution and one count of maintaining a drug-production facility.

“This is just a great way to hurt drug dealers because you are hitting them where it hurts in the pocketbook,” said Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy.

The 1986 Crime Control Act provides for law enforcement agencies to share in the proceeds from criminal investigations in which they were involved. Robert Van Etten, U.S. Customs special agent-in-charge, presented the check in Fahy’s office.

“It’s like Christmas in March,” Little Ferry Police Chief Donald Fleming said. “We are going to be frugal with the money. . . . We are going to update the narcotics division in the detective bureau, buy some new equipment, and send people to courses.”

Paula was charged in November 1990 after five men who had bought cocaine from him were arrested coming out of his North Village apartment, which was under surveillance by Little Ferry police and the Bergen County Narcotics Task Force. Among other things, authorities seized $9,282 and bank accounts in New York City and numbers to safe-deposit boxes that later yielded $169,000.

March 6, 1992

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TIP LEADS COPS TO ALLEGED DRUG DEALER

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Friday, December 13, 1991

The Record (New Jersey) | 5 Star | NEWS | Page B07

Acting on an anonymous tip, city detectives have arrested a suspected drug dealer and a couple he had hired to sell crack and heroin for him, police said.

Frankie Lee, 28, of Berdin Place, Hackensack, was being held Thursday in the Bergen County Jail Annex in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Lee was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin and marijuana, and possession within 1,000 feet of a school, Deputy Police Chief John Aletta said.

Facing the same charges but released on $5,000 bail were Gregory Bease, 35, and his common-law wife, Brenda Bathes, 44, both of 370 Park St., Hackensack, police said.

The arrest occurred sometime after 10 p.m. Wednesday, the time that narcotics detectives received information that a drug rip-off would be taking place at the Park Street address, Aletta said.

Detective Sgts. Arthur Mento, Robert Wright, and Louis D’Arminio, who responded to the tip, pursued Lee after he left the apartment, Aletta said. Officers Thomas Foschini and Thomas Staron, in marked patrol cars, arrested Lee a few blocks down Park Street, he said.

The detectives arrested Bease and Bathes, seizing about 25 vials of crack, a bag of heroin, and assorted drug paraphernalia, he said. Further investigation revealed that Lee delivered the drugs to the couple so they could sell it for him, Aletta said.

December 13, 1991

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PASSAIC DRUG RAID NETS TWO ARRESTS

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Sunday, November 24, 1991

The Record (New Jersey) | All Editions | NEWS | Page A03

Police in the City of Passaic said Saturday that they raided a cocaine-packaging shop on Third Street and made two arrests.

Late Friday night, officers armed with warrants searched three apartments at 155 Third St. controlled by Ana Marie Burgos, said Capt. Richard Wolak, Police Narcotic Squad commander.

Burgos, 37, who lives in one of the apartments, and Angel Domingo Laboy, 28, of Monroe St., Passaic, were arrested.

Wolak said officers found $4,100, cocaine valued at $20,000 in $20, $100, and $500 packages, and 4 ounces of loose cocaine. They found material to dilute cocaine, packaging equipment, scales, and screens, he said.

“What was unique about this is that in this one building they had three separate apartments and they would move the cocaine from apartment to apartment to avoid detection and apprehension. . . . They were stash pads, basically,” Wolak said.

Burgos and Laboy were each charged with possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of cocaine within a school zone, and maintaining a drug-production facility.

Burgos was being held Saturday in the Passaic County Jail on $150,000 bail; Laboy was being held on $75,000 bail.

Two of the charges possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine and maintaining a drug-production facility are first-degree offenses punishable by prison sentences of 25 years to life.

Notes: Passaic page

November 24, 1991

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N. BERGEN COP HELD ON DRUG CHARGES

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Monday, November 18, 1991

The Record (New Jersey) | 1 Star | NEWS | Page A03

North Bergen Patrolman Michael Williams was suspended from the township Police Department on Saturday after he was arrested in Union City on drug charges, authorities said.

Williams was being held without bail in the Hudson County Jail on Sunday, following his arrest by members of the Jersey City Police narcotics squad.

Jersey City Police Sgt. Brian McDonough said Williams would face charges of cocaine possession, distribution, aggravated assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest. North Bergen Police Lt. Bruce McBreen declined comment on the case Sunday, but he confirmed that Police Chief Angelo Busacco had suspended Williams, 34.

About 7:30 p.m. Saturday, McDonough said, Williams bought about 5 grams of cocaine in three clear plastic bags at 61 Graham St., a Jersey City residence that the squad had under surveillance because neighbors had complained of drug activities there.

He drove up to the house, knocked on a window and was let in through a door, McDonough said. When he emerged moments later and left in a car occupied by a woman, the detectives followed in unmarked cars, later stopping Williams at 13th Street and Kennedy Boulevard in Union City.

Williams appeared nervous and informed the detectives he is a North Bergen police officer, McDonough said.

After he was placed in the back of one of the unmarked cars, Williams “became very abusive,” McDonough said, and “in a threatening manner, quickly pulled up his sweat shirt” to reveal a small revolver in a holster.

The officer disarmed Williams and retrieved the drug.

The detectives later executed a search warrant at 61 Graham St., where they arrested three people and recovered $3,029 and an undetermined quantity of cocaine.

November 18, 1991

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FOUR SUSPECTS IN DRUG RING ARRESTED SOLD AGENTS COCAINE NEAR SCHOOL

By michael o. allenHomepage, The RecordNo Comments

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Friday, November 1, 1991

The Record (New Jersey) | 6 Star | NEWS | Page B04

Four alleged drug dealers were being held in the Bergen County Jail Thursday on $150,000 bail each, and county law enforcement officials say the arrests indicate they are beginning to crack key drug rings.

Facing charges of drug possession and distribution are Ernesto Villar, 34, and Eleanora Barclift, 28, both of Elizabeth, and Ivette Quinones, 34, and Luis Aiacena, 32, both of Newark, said Bergen County First Assistant Prosecutor Paul B. Brickfield.

Undercover agents bought cocaine from the suspects on Sept. 13, then arranged Wednesday’s “buy-and-bust” in Elmwood Park, he said.

About 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Elmwood Park and state police, plus the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force, arrested the four after they sold 10 ounces of cocaine to an officer on Route 46 west, near the Gantner Avenue School, Brickfield said.

Villar drove a truck into a police car while trying to escape, Brickfield said. He said Investigator James Giblin, whose foot was broken, required surgery Thursday. Two other officers were treated for minor injuries.

Barclift was charged with two counts of selling cocaine to an undercover agent 10 ounces Wednesday and a quarter-ounce on Sept. 13. Villar faces similar charges, plus three counts of aggravated assault against a police officer.

Aiacena and Quinones, who face similar drug charges, were each also charged with one count of receiving stolen property the car they drove to the site, police said.

“Ten ounces is a significant amount of cocaine,” Brickfield said. He said the task force is targeting the larger dealers.

November 1, 1991

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