Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Department Chief Joseph
Rooney, Pompton Lakes Police Chief Derek Clark, Haledon Police Chief Angelo J. Daniele
Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman, announce that
based upon a joint investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics, Gangs, and
Violent Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with the Wayne Police Department, Pompton Lakes
Police Department, Haledon Police Department, Clifton Police Department and Passaic Police
Department, a total of four (4) adult females and nineteen (19) adult males were arrested in
locations in Paterson, Wayne, Garfield, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes, Haledon, Totowa, Passaic,
Harrison, and Lyndhurst, New Jersey; and charged with various Controlled Dangerous Substance
Offenses relating to the distribution and/or possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
The arrests were based upon a long-term investigation that originated in May 2024. The
investigation targeted a cocaine and narcotics distribution network in Passaic County. During the
course of the investigation, various Federal, County, and Local agencies provided investigative
assets and assistance to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Wayne Police Department.
Assisting investigative agencies included the Haledon Police Department, Pompton Lakes Police
Department, Wanaque Police Department, Clifton Police Department, Passaic Police Department
and United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug
Enforcement Agency-Newark.
The investigation originated with complaints to the Wayne and Pompton Lakes Police
departments about the sale of cocaine in Pompton Lakes and other areas in Passaic County. As
the investigation continued and various drug users and distributors were identified, the
investigation expanded to include the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Haledon Police
Department, Clifton Police Department, Passaic Police Department and the United States Secret
Service.
Search warrants for seven locations within Passaic and Bergen County were executed on
September 24, and 25, 2024 resulting in the arrests of ten adults. In addition to the previously
mentioned agencies, Garfield Police Department assisted in the execution of those warrants.
Evidence seized during the execution of the search warrants on September 24, 2024 and
September 25, 2024, included approximately $64,104 dollars of US Currency, over 13 ounces of
cocaine, over 2 pounds of marijuana, and over 100 oxycodone pills.
The investigation then continued to expand to identify a broader source of cocaine, narcotics, and
other controlled substances being distributed throughout Northern New Jersey. The focus of this
phase of the investigation concentrated on narcotics suppliers. As the investigation continued, the
aforementioned agencies continued their investigation with additional assistance of the
Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Investigators were able identify drug
trafficking routes and their sources both in New Jersey and New York.
The investigation continued until the execution of an additional eighteen (18) search warrants on
February 26, 2025, in locations throughout Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson Counties. As a result of
these search warrants, an additional thirteen (13) individuals, eleven (11) adult males and two (2)
adult females, were arrested and charged with various charges related to the distribution of
controlled dangerous substances as well as various weapons offenses.
Agencies that assisted with the execution of the eighteen (18) search warrants included the
following: Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne Police Department, Haledon Police
Department, Pompton Lakes Police Department, Clifton Police Department, Passaic Police
Department, the Paterson Police Department Emergency Response Team, Paterson Police
Department, Passaic County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team as well as Passaic County
Sheriff’s Department, North Haledon Police Department, Hawthorne Police Department,
Prospect Park Police Department, Little Falls Police Department, West Milford Police
Department, Bloomingdale Police Department, Wanaque Police Department, Ringwood Police
Department, Totowa Police Department, Department of Homeland Security Investigations,
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Regional SWAT Team, and Hudson County Sheriff’s
Department Regional SWAT Team.
Evidence seized as result of the search warrants executed on February 26, 2025, included
approximately $244,205 in cash, approximately 4 Kilos of cocaine, 1.7 pounds of heroin
including 25,000 individually dosed packages as well as additional loose powder, 1.2 pounds of
Fentanyl, 1.7 ounces of crack cocaine, numerous prescription pills including OxyContin and
Percocet, numerous packaging materials, and 8 firearms and ammunition.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it
becomes available. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, the
defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Wayne Police Chief Joseph Rooney stated, “The Wayne Police Department is committed to
vigorously and aggressively investigating all crimes and offenses that affect the quality of life
and welfare of our citizens. This investigation was a combination of good old fashioned police
work and 21st century high tech methods which started with a tip from a concerned resident. The
Wayne Police Narcotics/Special Operations Bureau cultivated this information and developed
leads and evidence which identified individuals at every level of the drug distribution chain. By
working hand in hand with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and numerous other Law
Enforcement agencies in Northern New Jersey this case produced the successful outcome we
have presented here today. There is no doubt that these arrests and seizures will have an impact
on the flow of dangerous illegal drugs into all of our neighborhoods.”
Haledon Police Chief Angelo J. Daniele stated, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to
the dedicated detectives assigned to this case. I look forward to our continued partnership with
the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics, Gangs and Violent Crimes Taskforce as
maintain our focus om prioritizing public safety. Additionally, I wish to extend my sincere
appreciation to the Haledon Governing Body for their continued support of the strategic vision of
the police administration. Their commitment to providing essential resources has empowered
the Haledon Police Department to enhance our investigative capabilities and broaden our
community engagement efforts.”
Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman stated, “The Passaic Police Department would like to
thank all our law enforcement partners and especially the Passaic County Prosecutor’s office for
the leadership role they played in bringing this complex multi-agency criminal investigation to a
success conclusion. The inter-agency cooperation exhibited by all the law enforcement agencies
in the many municipal towns involved demonstrates the need to look beyond Law enforcement
borders in the 21st Century. Together moving forward, cooperation between all police partners at
all times will continue to keep our communities vigilant and safer.”
Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi stated, "The hard work of this multi-jurisdictional Task
Force and its brave officers culminated in the efforts that we're here to recognize today. I am
extremely proud of all of the officers involved".
DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz stated, “The arrest of twenty-three individuals, who
continuously flooded our neighborhoods with illicit and synthetic drugs, shows the determination
we have when targeting those drug trafficking organizations and individuals poisoning our
communities” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “We are thankful
to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their partnership
in keeping our neighborhoods safe and drug-free.”
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org
