NJ Cop Dealt Heroin Pills — Some Right From His Car: Authorities

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Paterson police officer was accused Friday of selling cocaine, marijuana, and heroin pills — sometimes right out of his police vehicle, authorities announced Friday.

Federal agents arrested Ruben McAusland, 26, of Paterson, said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. He was charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute narcotics.

McAusland gave someone sample pills in his police vehicle at a supermarket parking lot near the Paterson Police Department headquarters Feb. 11, authorities said. The pills were made to look like Percocet pills, but were really heroin, Carpenito said.

McAusland later allegedly sold the person heroin pills, including more than 1,000 on April 1 for $7,000. That person was cooperating with law enforcement officials.

McAusland allegedly sold 35 grams of marijuana, 48 grams of heroin, 31 grams of cocaine, and 31 grams of crack cocaine for $50 in October and 1 pound of marijuana to someone two times, in November and January, charging $2,500 and $2,400, respectively, Carpenito said.

McAusland offered to sell that person 1 kilogram of cocaine multiple times between February and April, authorities said.

McAusland is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court.

McAusland faces decades in prison and potentially more than $6 million in fines if convicted.

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