New Mahwah Police K9 Discovers Oxycodone, $9,000 During Traffic Stop: Police

MAHWAH, N.J. — A recent graduate of K9 training school and his handler stopped a vehicle on Route 17 that led the seizure of $9,000 in cash and Oxycodone, police said.

Officer Rob Rapp and "Remco," were on patrol on Route 17 recently when they stopped a four-door Chrysler for moving violations and spoke with the driver, Lefty Rosario-Batista, of Newark, Batelli said. "Remco" was recently certified in narcotics detection and tracking by the Morris County Police Academy's K9 training program.

While speaking with the driver, Rapp saw marijuana remnants in a passenger compartment and smelled raw marijuana coming from the inside of the vehicle, Batelli said.

"Remco" uncovered white pills believed to be Oxycodone in the center console and bundles of money totaling $9,000 that was packaged " in a manner consistent with narcotics distribution" during a search of the vehicle, Batelli said.

Rosario-Batista was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and several motor vehicle violations, the chief said.

The cash was seized pending a civil forfeiture hearing and Rosario-Batista was released pending a court date of Nov. 18, Batelli said.

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Lefty Rosario-Batista, of Newark — Courtesy of Mahwah Police Department