Police in northern New Jersey arrested 325 people and seized nearly 12,000 bags of packaged heroin during an eight-week drug sting aimed at combating the rising popularity of the dangerous narcotic, prosecutors say.
A task force of investigators from across the state worked together to target street-level heroin markets in Paterson over the last two months, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
More than 40 dealers were cuffed along with about 280 suspected heroin users, prosecutors say, and police seized 32 guns, $25,000 cash and more than 2 ½ pounds of raw heroin.
Police also found and dismantled two heroin “mills” where the drug was packaged for sale on the streets.
All of the dealers and users arrested were booked on relatively low-level charges. Each suspect will have the opportunity to go through rehabilitation programs, prosecutors say.
