[ back ]
RINGWOOD - Nine arrested in pot bust
(by Donna Rolando - Managing Editor - October 02, 2008)
RINGWOOD - Police arrested eight juveniles and one 18-year-old adult on charges of marijuana possession this past weekend and hope to have created a deterrent to continued drug usage here.
In the first arrest, the night of Sept. 26, Detective Sgt. Paul Rothlauf said that he discovered five male youths, all from this borough, in possession of marijuana behind the Cupsaw Plaza stores. The juveniles, ranging in age from 15 to 16, face charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The detective reported that some marijuana was on the person of at least one of the youths and some was in the parking lot where they were allegedly congregating.
The following night, an off-duty officer driving past Cupsaw Plaza took note of a suspicious car behind the retail area and reported the concern, bringing Patrolmen Patrick Selleroli and Joseph Longo, as well as Sgt. Michael Caughey, to the scene.
Initially, police saw that two 17-year-old borough males from the Erskine Lake section were in the company of an open container of alcohol, Sgt. Rothlauf said. But further investigation revealed marijuana, a scale and plastic bags for packaging the drug, according to police.
The youths, which will not be named due to their age, were charged with consumption of alcohol under age, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute within a school zone. The teens were released to their parents awaiting court.
Then on the night of Sept. 28, Officer Patrick Selleroli was on patrol when he spotted a “suspicious” vehicle parked way back in the Skyline Firehouse lot.
Based on the smell of marijuana, Rothlauf said the officer looked further and recovered marijuana as well as a clear plastic bag and a cigar commonly used as a blunt for marijuana use.
Consequently, police charged one Wanaque male and an 18-year-old Ringwood resident, identified as Marquis Howell, all with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. They have been released pending court.
Police hope that these recent arrests will discourage marijuana use among area youths by letting them know that officers are watching.
[ back ]
