Three Men Arrested for Heroin Distribution in Leonia, New Jersey

Police in Leonia NJ arrested three men accused of possessing a large amount of heroin valued in excess of $25,000.

According to officials, a Leonia New Jersey police sergeant was on patrol in the area of Broad Avenue around 2:00 a.m. when he spotted a Dodge Charger that had been illegally parked. The police officer stopped next to the vehicle and talked to the vehicle’s three occupants.

While the officer spoke with the suspects, he reportedly noticed a small bag of marijuana in plain sight.

The officer then called for backup, resulting in the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department dispatching a K-9 unit to the scene to help with the investigation.

Police searched the suspects’ vehicle and allegedly discovered 4.5 ounces of uncut heroin, as well as $3,000 in cash.

The driver of the motor vehicle, a 24-year-old resident of Maryland, was placed under arrest at the scene. Police officers also arrested the vehicle’s passengers, who are from West Virginia.

The three suspects face serious criminal charges for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

If the suspects are convicted of heroin distribution, they would be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, intent to distribute more than one-half ounce of heroin is considered a second degree crime. A conviction for second degree heroin distribution could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

For more information about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “$25K in Heroin Seized After Car Stop, Police Say.”