Crime & Safety

Man With 5 Ounces Of Meth Stopped In Raritan: Prosecutor

Clemente Lozano, 63, of Belleville was charged following an investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and Bridgewater Police.

Clemente Lozano, 63, of Bernice Street, Belleville.
Clemente Lozano, 63, of Bernice Street, Belleville. (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

RARITAN, NJ — A Belleville man was arrested following a drug investigation that began in Bridgewater and ended in Raritan.

Clemente Lozano, 63, of Bernice Street, Belleville was charged in connection with the narcotics investigation, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

On Jan. 23 at around 5:30 p.m., members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force along with members of the Bridgewater Police Department were concluding a narcotics investigation in the area of Somerset Corporate Boulevard in Bridgewater.

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Authorities got information that Lozano, who was known to Task Force members from prior narcotics investigations, would be arriving in the area driving a black Lexus sedan and would have a quantity of methamphetamine, said McDonald.

Task Force members along with Bridgewater Township Police set up surveillance in the immediate area.

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Authorities saw a black Lexus occupied by Lozano driving south on Route 202/206 and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 206 near Bell Avenue in Raritan.

Task Force members found and seized about five ounces of methamphetamine, which an estimated street value of $14,200, said McDonald.

Lozano was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of CDS (Methamphetamine) with intent to distribute.

Lozano was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force at 908-231-7100, the Raritan Borough Police at 908-725-6700 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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