Arrest In Watchung Yields Quantity Of Cocaine, Heroin, And Currency

A 33-year-old North Plainfield man was arrested in Watchung and charged with possession with intent to distribute after police found cocaine and heroin in his vehicle.

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office:

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Timothy Fitzgerald, Watchung Chief of Police Joseph R. Cina and Warren Township Chief of Police William E. Keane announce the arrest of Eduardo Taipe, age 33, of U.S. Highway 22 West , in North Plainfield, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Soriano states that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force received information that on November 5, 2014, Eduardo Taipe would be traveling from his residence to a retail store located in Watchung and he would be in possession of a quantity of heroin and cocaine.

Detectives from the Task Force set up surveillance on the defendant’s residence. At approximately 4:30 p.m. the surveillance team observed defendant Taipe enter the Dodge Charger and drive towards Watchung.

After the defendant parked his vehicle in the retail store parking lot, Task Force detectives approached and advised defendant Taipe of the ongoing narcotics investigation.

Subsequent to detectives observing a quantity of suspected CDS in the defendant’s vehicle, a search warrant was obtained for the defendant’s person, vehicle and residence.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a quantity of heroin (under ½ ounce) and a quantity of cocaine (under ½ ounce).

The search of defendant Taipe’s residence by Task Force detectives along with Warren Township Police Department Officer Bryan Horst and his K-9 “Onyx” resulted in the seizure of $18,176.00.

The heroin has a street value of $1,000 and the cocaine has a street value of $200.00.

Defendant Taipe was charged with Possession of CDS (Heroin) with the Intent to Distribute, 3rd Degree and Possession of CDS (Cocaine) with Intent to Distribute, 3rd Degree.

Defendant Taipe was lodged in the Somerset County Jail. Bail was set by the Honorable Peter J. Tober, J.S.C. at $75,000 cash or bond.