$530K Seized From Drug Traffickers' Mahwah Hotel Room: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — A call from a concerned resident led police to a hotel room where they seized $530,000, drugs, and prescription medication from two New York residents at a Route 17 hotel, authorities announced.

Daniel Martel, 34, and Tracey Harris, 30, were arrested and charged with money laundering and multiple drug possession and distribution offenses, said Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli.

Police received a call just before 2 p.m. Friday from a concerned citizen that people appeared disoriented inside a vehicle at a fast food restaurant on Route 17 South.

Sgt. Michael Blondin and Officer William Hurt responded and found heroin, drug paraphernalia, including hypodermic needle, burglary tools, and possible stolen property inside the vehicle, which may have been linked to a number of recent area vehicle burglaries, Batelli said.

Detective Eric Larsen went to the scene and began investigating. Martel and Harris had several inconsistencies with their stories and Larsen got a warrant to search their hotel room, the chief said.

Police found the $530,000 in a duffle bag wrapped in a manner consistent with drug trafficking, Batelli said.

Heroin, prescription drugs, and other potential stolen property in the room, including heroin, morphine, Xanax, suboxone, and lorazepan.

Martel and Harris were each charged with first-degree money laundering, multiple third-degree possession of heroin charges, possession with intent to distribute, and several drug possession charges.

Batelli commended the officers on investigating the original report, which led to "an extensive criminal investigation and the seizure of both cash and narcotics."

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Photos: Daniel Martel, 34, of Otisville, New York and Tracey Harris, 30, of Bloomingburg, New York. (Courtesy of Mahwah Police Department/Background image via Shutterstock