9 Drug Arrests Made In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ —

On March 27 at 4:47 p.m.: A 2001 Honda was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and the Garden State Parkway NorthBound 136 Ramp for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Matthew Siessel located a pipe, which is commonly used to ingest narcotics, inside the vehicle. A passenger, Kristen Neglia, 28, of Colonia was arrested for possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. The driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for having a loud muffler.

On March 30 at 6:24 p.m.: A 2007 Dodge was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Hayes Street for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Gregory Federici located hypodermic syringes and a pipe, commonly used to ingest narcotics, inside the vehicle. A passenger, Jazmin Haskett, 36, of Irvington was arrested for possession of a hypodermic syringe; and possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Haskett was also issued a motor vehicle summons for failing to wear a seatbelt.

On March 30 at 10:46 pm.: A 2001 BMW was stopped at the intersection of Raritan Road and Mohawk Drive for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Brian Trotter located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Cayron Chester, 24, of North Plainfield was arrested for possession of marijuana(under 50g); and possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Chester was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to wear a seatbelt and failure to inspect vehicle.

On March 22 at 6:51 p.m.: A 2004 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and the Garden State Parkway 137 SouthBound Ramp for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Gerrity located heroin and cocaine on a passenger, Paul Marino, 48, of Parlin. The driver, Thomas Verdi Jr., 34, of Parlin was also found in possession of heroin and Suboxone. Both Marino and Verdi Jr. were arrested, processed, and released pending a Superior Court appearance. Marino was charged with possession w/ the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance(heroin), possession of a controlled dangerous substance(heroin and cocaine), and possession of paraphernalia. Verdi Jr. was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance(heroin), possession of paraphernalia, possession of a prescription legend narcotic(Suboxone), driving while suspended, failure to maintain lamps, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On March 22 at 7:44 p.m.: A 2003 GMC was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and Forest Avenue for a traffic light violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. John Rattigan located marijuana on the driver, Phillip Smith, 57, of Rahway. Smith was arrested for possession of marijuana(under 50g); and possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Smith was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to observe traffic signal, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and unsafe lane change.

On March 23 at 3:01 p.m.: A 2002 Jeep was stopped at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Sylvester Street for a stop sign violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Det. Thomas Stiansen determined that the driver, Tony Couto, 26, of Fords was in possession of marijuana, heroin, and Suboxone. Couto was arrested for possession of marijuana(under 50g); possession of a controlled dangerous substance(Heroin); possession of a prescription legend narcotic(Suboxone); and possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Superior Court appearance. Couto was issued motor vehicle summonses for failing to stop at a stop sign and possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On March 24 at 9:19 p.m.: A 1997 Saturn was stopped at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Raritan Road for a lane violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Jason D’Agostino located marijuana on the driver, Antonio Otero, 22, of Perth Amboy. Otero was arrested for possession of marijuana(under 50g); and possession of paraphernalia, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Additionally, Otero was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to signal, failure to maintain lane, and possessing a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On March 24 at 10:30 p.m.: A 2008 Mitsubishi was stopped at the intersection of Bryant Avenue and Myrtle Street for a stop sign violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Federici located marijuana on a passenger, Samuel Skeete, 20, of Maplewood. Skeete was arrested for possession of marijuana(under 50g); possession of paraphernalia; and contempt of court, processed, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Skeete was released on an active warrant out of South Orange Village. The driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for failing to stop at a stop sign.

On March 26 at 1:28 a.m.: A 1998 Honda was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and E. Lincoln Avenue for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Ptl. Timothy Handy determined that the driver, Bersania Sanchez, 18, of Elizabeth was driving while intoxicated. Sanchez was arrested for driving while intoxicated, processed, and released to a friend pending a Municipal Court appearance. Sanchez was also issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, unclear plates, and careless driving.

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