Secaucus Tinted Windows Car Stop Leads To Heroin, Crack, Cops Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — A car stop in Secaucus Sunday for tinted windows resulted in more than 120 wax folds of suspected heroin, an equal amount of suspected crack/cocaine, suspected PCP, Ecstasy and other drugs, say Secaucus police.

Abdul Muhammad was pulled over on County Road in Secaucus at 1:27 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Secaucus police officer Jason Mitchell said he originally stopped Muhammad’s car because it had heavily tinted windows, which are illegal in New Jersey.

Muhammad told the officers he had just visited a friend at the Alexander Hamilton Rest Area on the NJ Turnpike. That rest area has been closed for months.

Upon stopping the car, it was discovered the registration was expired and Muhammad was driving with a suspended license, said police. Police said during the stop they saw drug paraphernalia in plain view within the vehicle.

A search of the car was then conducted and Police Officer Gabriel Galella said he observed Muhammad drop a quantity of suspected heroin to the ground while he was outside the car.

He was immediately placed under arrest and additional wax folds of suspected heroin were found on his person, said police.

A search of the vehicle uncovered more than one hundred ten (110) capsules of suspected crack/cocaine, suspected PCP, suspected Ecstasy pills and suspected Amoxicillin pills. In total, more than 120 wax folds of suspected heroin were seized from Muhammad and his car.

Additionally, a large knife and other items that were seized from the car were indicative that he had the drugs with the intent to sell them. $1,069 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized.

Muhammad, 58, of West Orange, was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Over ½ ounce, but less than 5 Ounces of Crack/Cocaine [2C:35-5b(2)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute under ½ ounce of Heroin [2C:35-5b(3)], four (4) counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)], Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute [2C:36-3], Possession of a Weapon while Committing a CDS Offense [2C:39-4.1c] and Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug [2C35-10.5(e)].

“I want to commend Police Officers Mitchell and Galella for their diligence in making this arrest," said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. "Although it appears that Abdul Muhammad was just passing through Secaucus, the seizure of these illicit drugs reflects great credit upon them."