Crime & Safety

Fair Lawn Man Caught With Drugs Near School: Police

Kenneth Martorelli II was charged with distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — A borough man was charged with distribution of marijuana near a school after police stopped a motor vehicle Tuesday night near Forrest Elementary School, authorities said.

Police stopped the vehicle Kenneth Martorelli II was driving at River Road and Fair Lawn Avenue at about 5:30 p.m., and, after finding evidence of marijuana use, arrested Martorelli, said Sgt. Brian Metzler.

Police found $1,860 wrapped in a rubber band inside the vehicle, which is "money consistent with illegal drug sales," Metzler said.

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Detective Anthony Lugo, Detective Sgt. Tim O'Shaughnessy, and Detective Lt. Joseph Dawicki investigated further and were led to a Heights Avenue home, where a resident handed over a Louis Vutton bag with more than six ounces of suspected marijuana and a digital scale inside, Metzler said.

Martorelli was charged with distribution of marijuana, distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park, distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, money laundering, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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