Residents' Tip Leads To 3 Drug Arrests In Linden

LINDEN, NJ — Three men were arrested on drug-related charges after local residents alerted police of suspicious activity in Linden.

Residents in the 500 block of W. Curtis Street reported suspicious activity to police which lead to three month investigation by Linden Police Department Narcotics Bureau, assisted by members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Guns, Gangs, Drugs, and Violent Crimes Task Force and Roselle Police Department Narcotics Bureau.

Three men were arrested following a search of a home of W. Curtis Street on Sept. 28 where marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms were found.

Juan Tavarez, 21, of Linden is charged with third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana and lesser charges and released on a summons.

(Juan Tavarez, 21, of Linden)

Erik Colon, 22, of Perth Amboy is charged with third-degree possession of Psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms) and lesser charges, as well as an additional third-degree charge for implicating another in a crime after he misidentified himself to investigating detectives. Colon was remanded to the Union County Jail pending an appearance in Superior Court.

(Erik Colon, 22, of Perth Amboy)

Kyle McCall, 21, of Linden was also issued a summons for possession of marijuana and committed to the Union County Jail on an unrelated burglary warrant.

(Kyle McCall, 21, of Linden)

“This investigation, as well as many others before it, was initiated because concerned citizens played their role in keeping their neighborhood safe by contacting the police," said Police Chief Jonathan Parham.

"It is that relationship, as well as the relationship the Linden Police Department has with its’ law enforcement partners that allows us to keep our neighborhoods safe,” continued Parham.

(Images via Linden Police Department)

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