On October 4, 2020 at approximately 1:27 A.M., Abdul Muhammad was visiting a friend at the Alexander Hamilton Rest Area along the New Jersey Turnpike. He then drove through Secaucus where Police Officer Jason Mitchell observed Abdul Muhammad’s vehicle had heavily tinted windows, therefore he was stopped on County Road. Upon stopping the vehicle, it was discovered the registration was expired and Abdul Muhammad was driving while suspended. During the stop, drug paraphernalia was observed in plain view within the vehicle.
Abdul Muhammad was ordered out of the vehicle while a search was being conducted. While outside the vehicle, Police Officer Gabriel Galella observed Abdul Muhammad drop a quantity of suspected heroin to the ground and he was immediately placed under arrest. During a search incident to his arrest, Abdul Muhammad was found in possession of additional wax folds of suspected heroin.
A search of the vehicle uncovered over one hundred ten (110) capsules of suspected crack/cocaine, suspected PCP, suspected Ecstasy pills and suspected Amoxicillin pills. In total over one hundred twenty (120) wax folds of suspected heroin were seized from Abdul Muhammad and his vehicle. Additionally, a large knife and other items that were seized from the vehicle were indicative that Abdul Muhammad possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them. $1,069.00 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized.
“I want to commend Police Officers Mitchell and Galella for their diligence in making this arrest. Although it appears that Abdul Muhammad was just passing through Secaucus, the seizure of these illicit drugs reflects great credit upon them,” Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said.
Abdul Muhammad, 58, of West Orange, was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Over ½ ounce, but less than 5 Ounces of Crack/Cocaine [2C:35-5b(2)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute under ½ ounce of Heroin [2C:35-5b(3)], four (4) counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)], Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute [2C:36-3], Possession of a Weapon while Committing a CDS Offense [2C:39-4.1c] and Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug [2C35-10.5(e)].
Tips can be made by calling (201)330-2049, emailed to spdtips@secaucus.net or submitted anonymously through the department’s website at www.secaucuspolice.org. These charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
