At Least 430 Doses Of Heroin, 31 Arrested In 3 NJ Drug Busts

Authorities have arrested 31 people and discovered at least 430 doses of heroin – along with weapons and cash – in three New Jersey drug busts this past week.

In one bust, two drug traffickers carrying 20 kilograms of drugs hidden in onion boxes were arrested following a New Jersey traffic stop, authorities said. In another, 430 glassine envelopes of heroin and 43 baggies of marijuana and guns were found in one person's house.

Read more: $1M In Drugs Hidden In Onion Shipment: Prosecutor

Here is what happened in each bust:

27 Busted In Large Drug Ring In South Jersey

A total of 27 people were arrested and charged after 16 search warrants were executed at homes in South Jersey this past week, authorities announced.

The search warrants were executed early on Sept. 11, and served as the conclusion of "Operation Forefathers," a large scale narcotics investigation initiated by the Cape May and Atlantic County Prosecutor's Offices and the DEA.

The investigation targeted the sale of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription pills, and marijuana in the Woodbine and Millville areas. Harold Santiago, George Williams, Tracey Kluska, and Isiah Fitzpatrick were identified as the leaders of the drug ring, and $30,000, two semiautomatic handguns and a shotgun were seized as part of the investigation.

Along with the 27 arrests and previously mentioned seizures, police also seized 13 vehicles, along with approximately 6,540 bags of suspected heroin, 6 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, 2 ounces of suspected raw heroin, and numerous pounds of marijuana. Read more here...

Heroin Bust At House In North Jersey

Authorities seized 430 glassine envelopes of heroin and 43 baggies of marijuana, as well as guns, at a Paterson house this past week, according to police.

Cleveland R. Spencer, 57, of Paterson was arrested over the weekend after authorities discovered the heroin, pot and two firearms, a Beretta 7.65 caliber and a Llama 0.45caliber, at a Paterson house, according to authorities.

Manuel Almonte, 30, of Paterson also was arrested after concerned citizens pointed Narcotics Division detectives to the 17th Avenue home at the corner of East 28th Street, leading to a raid, according to Daily Voice.

$1M In Drugs Hidden In NJ Onion Shipment: Prosecutor

Two drug traffickers carrying 20 kilograms of drugs hidden in onion boxes were arrested following a Netcong traffic stop, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said.

Vantwuan D. Williams, 44, and Earl Haggens, 57, both from California, face multiple distribution charges following the Tuesday night traffic stop. According to Knapp, the two were pulled over on a traffic violation while driving through Netcong. After the driver gave several false names, police searched the truck, finding the drugs and cash, Knapp said.

Police allegedly found 10 kilograms of suspected heroin, 10 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and $103,180 hidden inside a cargo shipment of onions. The drugs are worth over $1 million. Read more....

Katie Kausch and Anthony Bellano contributed to this story

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