Busted: Wanted Wyckoff Man Caught with Cocaine and $4K Cash During Maywood Traffic Stop
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wyckoff NJ, A routine traffic stop in Maywood turned into a major arrest this past weekend when officers intercepted a wanted drug distribution suspect carrying a significant amount of “rubber-banded” cash and narcotics.
The Traffic Stop That Led to an Arrest
On Saturday, April 25, Lt. Matthew Parodi of the Maywood Police Department initiated a motor vehicle stop for standard traffic violations. However, the situation quickly escalated when officers identified the passenger as 34-year-old Eric Zapata of Wyckoff.
According to Maywood Police Chief Terrence Kenny, Zapata was initially flagged for a simple seatbelt violation. A routine background check quickly revealed that Zapata was far more than just an unbuckled passenger—he was a fugitive with an active warrant out of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department for drug distribution.
Evidence Found: Drugs and Bundled Cash
Once officers took Zapata into custody on the outstanding warrant, a search led to the discovery of:
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A small zip-lock baggie containing suspected cocaine.
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Multiple wads of cash, organized into individual rubber-banded bundles.
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A total of over $4,000 in currency hidden across various pockets.
Legal Consequences and Charges
While the driver of the vehicle was issued summonses and released, Zapata faces a laundry list of new legal troubles. Chief Kenny confirmed that Zapata has been charged with:
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Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Cocaine)
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Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
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Failure to Surrender Drugs
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Financial Facilitation (Money Laundering)
Zapata is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail pending his upcoming court hearing.
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