1,200 Bags Of Heroin Found In Middletown Stop On GSP, Police Say

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Two men were stopped by Monmouth County Sheriff's officers Wednesday at the Middletown exit on the Garden State Parkway, and police said they found 1,200 bags of heroin and 22 grams of cocaine hidden in their pick-up truck.

The men, from Long Branch and Eatontown, were arrested. The major drug bust was announced by the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook page Thursday.

The men were stopped in the 2014 Dodge pickup truck at Exit 109 (Red Bank/Lincroft) off the Parkway. Drug-sniffing K-9 units gave the officers suspicion there was drugs in the car, and the driver, Daniel Torres from Long Branch, consented to a search of the car, the Monmouth County Sheriff said.

Sheriff's officers and agents from the FBI Task Force of Red Bank said they found more than 1,200 bags of heroin and 22 grams of cocaine hidden underneath the engine compartment. The Dodge pickup and $4,500 were also seized. Torres and passenger Alexander Mazza, Eatontown, were charged with two counts of drug possession and two counts of intent to distribute.

“The heroin epidemic continues to be a serious and deadly problem. As members of law enforcement we are committed to take action when it comes to combating the proliferation of narcotics in Monmouth County,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “This great example of exceptional police work helps keep drugs off of our streets, and enhances the safety in communities where our children live and play. I commend everyone involved in the arrests for their collaborative efforts.”

Torres and Mazza remain at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

Photo of Exit 109 via Google Earth