Syringes, Heroin, Cocaine Found During Traffic Stops In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Police arrested seven people last week on drug-related charges including a township resident, according to the police blotter.

Cranford Police blotter:

On Aug. 29 at 10:58 a.m.: A 1998 Nissan was stopped on North Avenue East near the Roselle Park border for failing to signal a lane change. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ryan Gerrity arrested the driver, Andres Gonzalez, 44, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for suspected prescription legend drugs located inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of prescription legend drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, processed and provided with a superior court appearance date. In addition, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for failing to signal a lane change, maintenance of lamps and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On Aug. 30 at 10:22 a.m.: A 2009 Mazda was stopped on Raritan Road at Moen Avenue for erratic driving. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Matthew Siessel arrested the driver, Vitali Kartava, 29, of Valley Cottage, New York for suspected heroin located inside the vehicle. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, processed and provided with a superior court appearance date. In addition, he was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to observe a red traffic signal, obstructing traffic, failure to notify a change of address and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle

On Aug. 30 at 3:25 p.m.: A 2003 Honda was stopped on North Avenue East near Arlington Road for a cracked windshield. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Christopher Gross arrested the driver, Alexandra McCarthy, 23, of South Amboy for a hypodermic syringe and drug paraphernalia located inside the vehicle. She was charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia,processed and provided with a municipal court appearance date. In addition, she was issued motor vehicle summonses for a cracked windshield, suspended driver, no valid insurance card in her possession and no valid registration card in her possession.

On Sept. 1 at 10:04 p.m.: A 2003 Cadillac was stopped on Raritan Road for tinted windows and a lamp out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ali Muhammad arrested both the driver, Michael Volpe, 51, of Cranford and a passenger, Frank Costanza Jr., 42, of Elizabeth for hypodermic syringes and suspected heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana located during the motor vehicle stop. They were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia, processed and provided with a superior court appearance date. In addition, the driver was issued motor vehicle summonses for unclear plates, suspended driver, tinted windows and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On Sept. 1 at 10:13 p.m.: A 1996 Toyota was stopped on Holly Street near Alden Street for a brake lamp out. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ryan McSharry arrested the driver, Carl Houck, 51, of Union and a passenger, Salvatore Tortorello, 30, of Garwood for drug paraphernalia located inside the vehicle. They were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, processed and provided with municipal court appearance dates. In addition, the driver was issued motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

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