Cop's 'Alert Observation' Leads To Seizure Of More Than $30K Of Cocaine

MAHWAH, NJ — Police found more than $30,000 worth of cocaine during traffic stop on Route 17 North early Thursday morning.

Officer Chris Fasulo stopped driver Carlos O. Aviles for a motor vehicle violation at 12:15 a.m., said Chief James Batelli. Aviles told police he was driving back from a New York City airport and going to upstate New York, he said.

Fasulo spoke with the passenger, Joseph J. Abreu-Martir, 19, and noticed inconsistencies in his and Aviles's stories and noticed they were nervous and tense, Batelli said.

Police searched the vehicle and found 1 lb. of uncut cocaine in a brown paper bag; the cocaine has a street value of more than $30,000, Batelli said. Police also found $2,000 in cash and seized.

Aviles and Abreu-Martir, both of Middletown, New York, were each charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine, the chief said. Aviles also was also issued motor vehicle summonses.

Aviles and Abreu-Martir were taken to the Bergen County Jail.

Batelli commended Fasulo for his alert observations that lead to the seizure of the cocaine and arrests.

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Photos, from left: Joseph J. Abreu-Martir and Carlos O. Aviles/Mahwah Police Department/Background image via Shutterstock