Heroin Dealer In Mahwah School Zone Arrested Following Resident Complaints, Police Say

MAHWAH, N.J. — The township police department arrested several people, including a juvenile, on heroin and marijuana distribution charges, the result of reports by residents to authorities regarding suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.

The arrests came as a result of the department stepping up its investigation of possible drug activities in town based on tips from residents, said Chief James Batelli.

“The importance of residents calling in suspicious activity in their neighborhood cannot be underestimated,” Batelli said.

The department received information that suspicious activity was occurring on Wanamaker Avenue recently; confidential sources were notified that Benjamin Smalls III, 31, who was temporarily living on the street, was distributing heroin out of his residence, said Batelli.

Detective Lt. Guido Bussinelli investigated, and two other detectives saw a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction between Smalls and other individuals Friday afternoon near a “retail establishment that is frequented by families and young children,” police said.

Detectives Michael Grassi and Eric Larsen stopped the alleged buyer’s vehicle; two other officers stopped Smalls’ vehicle, Batelli said.

The buyer was in possession of 15 decks of heroin, and police found money in Smalls’ vehicle and drug paraphernalia that indicted heroin distribution, the chief said.

Authorities found additional heroin, hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia at Smalls’ residence. He was charged with distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school zone, distribution of heroin, and several drug-related possession charges, Batelli said.

In another investigation, police uncovered a marijuana distribution operation on Avenue A. They received complaints regarding possible drug transactions at the residence, police said. Residents reported seeing people entering and leaving the house “at all hours” and other suspicious activity, Batelli said.

Police watched the area, and a search warrant was obtained through Bergen County Superior Court.

The Mahwah Police Department and officers from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office were executing the warrant when a 16-year-old tried to prevent them from entering the home, assaulted one of the officers and resisted arrest, Batelli said.

The juvenile was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The juvenile’s brother was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The mother was charged with possession of marijuana. The father and mother were both charged with maintaining a nuisance.

Police did not immediately release the names of the juvenile's family members.

Batelli encourages all residents to report suspicious activity to the police at tips@mahwahpd.org. All information will be kept confidential.

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PHOTO: Benjamin Smalls III, 31 — Mahwah Police Department