The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, the Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella release the following information on the officer involved shooting in Fort Lee:
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, in a civil complaint filed today, the Department of Justice alleges that AmerisourceBergen Corp. and two of its subsidiaries, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Integrated Commercialization Solutions LLC (AmerisourceBergen), collectively one of the country’s largest wholesale pharmaceutical distributors and one of the largest companies in America by revenue, violated the law in connection with the distribution of controlled substances to pharmacies and other customers across the country, contributing to the prescription opioid epidemic.
Continue reading DOJ sues AmerisourceBergen, Claims distributor helped ignite opioid epidemic
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Cresskill NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of AARON PERRY (DOB 7/19/1969) of Dunwoody, Georgia; ALI MUHAMMAD (DOB: 4/04/1989) of Atlanta, Georgia; KEDRAIN BURDETTE (DOB: 7/08/1971) of Marietta, Georgia; RODERICK CARMICHAEL (DOB: 1/03/1972) of Stockbridge, Georgia; and TAURUS SANCHEZ BOONE (DOB: 2/08/1981) of Atlanta, Georgia on charges related to an armed home invasion/attempted murder/shooting investigation in Cresskill, NJ. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Cresskill Police Department (“CPD”) under the direction of Chief James Domville.
Continue reading Victim Suffers Multiple Gun Shoot Wounds in Home Invasion in Cresskill
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. In August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 18 states. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people.
Continue reading DEA Warns of “rainbow fentanyl” Used to Target Young Americans
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Oradell Police Officer JEFFREY PETERS (DOB: 10/26/1979; married) of Hawthorne, NJ on charges of Theft and Possession Of A Controlled Dangerous Substance. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Englewood NJ, A Bergen County, New Jersey, man made his initial court appearance today on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Ramfis Minaya, 23, of Englewood, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He appeared by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.
Continue reading Englewood Man Charged with Money Laundering over $5 Million in Narcotics Proceeds
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, Attorney General William P. Barr has issued the following statement:
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Prescription Take Back sponsored by DEA, will take place at the Ridgewood Police Department, Saturday 27th from 10AM to 2PM. Drop off any prescription medications at the Ridgewood Police Department and they will dispose of them for you. This semi-annual collection helps keep dangerous drugs away from children and ensures that they are disposed of correctly.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Cliffside Park NJ, A Bergen County, New Jersey, man who was arrested with three kilograms of heroin, a loaded, stolen Glock 22 pistol with a high-capacity magazine, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash in his possession made his initial court appearance today in Newark federal court, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Jose Pena, a/k/a “Gucci,” 31, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. He appeared in court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion and was detained.
According to the complaint:
On Dec. 17, 2018, law enforcement observed Pena driving into a public garage near the Botanical Gardens in Bronx, New York, where law enforcement suspected that Pena stored substantial quantities of narcotics in a minivan for distribution.
On Dec. 18, 2018, Pena drove from Cliffside Park to the garage, parked next to the minivan and entered it. When officers approached, they saw a brownish beige powdery substance at various places inside the minivan, including numerous softball-sized bags of suspected heroin. A field test of one of the bags was positive for heroin.
Law enforcement officers found the stolen pistol, loaded with 13 bullets in a large capacity magazine, in a backpack within reach of where Pena had been sitting. They also found tens of thousands of dollars in cash in a secret compartment behind the radio and temperature controls of the minivan.
The heroin distribution conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, and a $10 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson in Newark, as well as the DEA New York Strike Force, with the investigation leading to the charge.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Department reminds residents that National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
Continue reading National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 27th
The founding fathers designed the Constitution to deal with the eternal truth that national government USUALLY accumulate and abuse power and wanted the citizenry to have the ability to resist threats to their liberties. There is no mention nor even spirit in the language of the Constitution or Federalist Papers that law-abiding citizens be limited to weapons inferior to that of the military. There is AMPLE evidence that the founders wanted the citizenry to be able to DEFEAT a regular army (not to mention the paramilitaries of the blue windbreaker agencies FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, etc. whose very existence would have chapped their @ss) if used to infringe on civil liberties. If you find such language, please feel free to share it.
April 26,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ridgewood Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the police station at 131 north maple ave. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
March 4,2017
Edgewater NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrests of DARNELL MILLER (DOB: 5/24/1982; single; and unemployed) of 52 Myrtle Avenue, Edgewater, New Jersey; ALLEN STATAM (DOB: 06/02/1961; single; and unemployed) of 8831 SW 22nd Street, Miramar, Florida; Juan NORZAGARAY (DOB: 05/04/1983; single; and unemployed) of 6473 East Garden Stone Drive, Tucson, Arizona; and GARY MERTIL (DOB: 11/14/1984; single, and employed as Uber driver) of 407 56th Street, Apt. 406, West New York, New Jersey on drug-related charges. These arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, the Edgewater Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Alex HANNA, the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Francesco AQUILA, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) West Paterson Post of Duty under the direction of Group Supervisor Steve ORTMAN.
On Thursday, March 2, 2017, members of the Hackensack Police Department responded to a call of two suspicious males in the parking lot of the Riverside Square Mall, located at 400 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey. An investigation revealed that ALLEN STATAM and JUAN NORZAGARAY were found to be in possession of approximately $68,881.00, which was believed to be derived from criminal activity. Following additional investigation, they were both arrested on money laundering charges.
Shortly thereafter, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office were contacted and advised of the money laundering arrest. The Hackensack Police Department was then assisted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office in this investigation. Thereafter, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office coordinated with members of the Hackensack Police Department, the Edgewater Police Department and the DEA, and responded to an address in Edgewater, New Jersey that was suspected to contain narcotics and additional U.S. currency.
Upon their arrival, GARY MERTIL was located outside of the residence, and was found to be in possession of marijuana. He was placed under arrest without incident. Based upon further intelligence, a court-authorized search warrant was obtained for the residence in Edgewater, in which DARNELL MILLER was located. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located a “drug mill” on the lower level, which included approximately three kilograms of cocaine, approximately thirty pounds of marijuana, approximately one ounce of heroin, a kilogram press machine, U.S. currency counting machine, large digital scales, one hand gun, and approximately $181,885.00 in U.S. currency.
DARNELL MILLER was arrested without incident and charged with one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b (1), a First Degree Crime; one count of Possession With the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b10a, a First Degree Crime; one count of Maintaining or Operating a Premise for the Manufacturing of Cocaine / Heroin / Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4, a First Degree Crime; one count of Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin 2C:35-5b (2), a Second Degree Crime; one count of Possession of a Firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substance crime in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1, a Second Degree Crime; one count of Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a Second Degree Crime; one count of Tampering with Evidence in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1), a Fourth Degree Crime; three counts of Possession With the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, and Marijuana, While Within a School Zone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a Third Degree Crime; three counts of Possession With the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, and Marijuana, While Within a Park Zone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1, a Second Degree Crime. MILLER was issued a warrant and held at the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.
ALLEN STATAM was charged with one count of Money Laundering, specifically by possessing $68,881.00 which is believed to be derived from Criminal Activity, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a Third Degree Crime. He was released on his own recognizance pending a first appearance date in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.
JUAN NORZAGARAY was charged with one count of Money Laundering, specifically by possessing $68,881.00 which is believed to be derived from Criminal Activity, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25, a Third Degree Crime. He was released on his own recognizance pending a first appearance date in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.
GARY MERTIL was charged with one count of Possession of Marijuana in an amount under fifty grams in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(4). He was released on his own recognizance pending a first appearance date in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Hackensack Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, DEA, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
Possession of C.D.S. and Drug Paraphernalia.” Where does it say ” POT” Unless you are the person that was arrested or their parent.
Whether or you think Pot its dangerous, or want it to be legal, the fact is that its currently illegal. Smoking it makes you a criminal. Smoking it on school grounds, in public, makes you a really dumb criminal. If these kids are starting their adult lives by thumbing their noses at the law, the least of their problems is getting their names in the paper. Fly straight!
Read below so you can educate yourself on what the term CDS means
The DEA and its state affiliates (Department of Consumer Affairs, Drug Control Unit in NJ) categorize CDS materials into or ‘schedule’ categories based on the likelihood of diversion, mostly due to abuse and addiction prevalence. Materials fall into one of five schedules, from highest control to least;
Schedule I No accepted medical use, high potential for abuse
(e.g., heroin, methamphetamine)
Schedule II High potential for abuse, severe psychological or physical dependence
(e.g., cocaine, oxycodone)
Schedule III Potential for abuse less than Schedule I & II
(e.g., ketamine, and anabolic steroids)
Schedule IV Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III
(e.g., midazolam, diazepam)
By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on August 11, 2016 at 7:28 AM, updated August 11, 2016 at 11:32 AM
TRENTON — The Obama administration will uphold the ban on researching the therapeutic benefits of marijuana, once again rebuffing requests to remove the plant from the list of the drugs, like heroin and cocaine, that are considered to be the most addictive and lacking medicinal value.
On Thursday, the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration will publish a notice in the Federal Register, a compilation of government rules, that will announce its decision to keep marijuana as a “schedule 1” drug, according to the Washington Post.
The decision will no doubt disappoint supporters who had hoped the federal government would finally allow research to determine cannabis’ potential. Half of the states in the nation, including New Jersey, as well as Washington D.C. permit the cultivation and sale of marijuana for medical purposes.
