News Release
For Immediate Release:
August 4, 2008
Contacts:
Douglas S. Collier
Special Agent/
Public Information Officer, NJ Division
(973)776-1143 (Office)
(862) 849-9940 (Cell)
DEA "Brand" Used to Market Heroin
Newark Criminal Organization Used DEA Seal on Heroin Baggies
 |
Heroin Glassine Bags |
AUG 4 -- (Newark, NJ) - Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New Jersey Division and Garry F. McCarthy, Director of Police, Newark Police Department announced the arrest of Eduardo NUNEZ of Irvington, New Jersey on charges of “Misuse of Official Government Insignia” and possession of nearly 1 kilogram of heroin. NUNEZ also possessed packaging materials and paraphernalia related to the trafficking of heroin. Cash, ammunition, and a laptop were seized during the operation.
Gerard P. McAleer, SAC for the DEA New Jersey Division stated, “As the saying goes “imitation is the best form of flattery,” however, we are not flattered by traffickers duplicating our agency seal on their poison.”
Working in conjunction with the Newark Police Department, the DEA raided NUNEZ’s residence in the early hours of July 31, where heroin glassine bags (used to package heroin) were found that contained the official DEA Agency emblem. The residence was also used as a heroin mill.
This investigation is a part of Violent Enterprise Source Targeting (VEST) program: VEST is a unique "pulling together" of city, county, state & all federal agency leaders in a COMSTAT-style bi-monthly working group to coordinate and plan diverse agency enforcement efforts into a focused, systematic and sustained strategy against the violent crime plaguing Newark. In essence, it’s collaboration, coordination and communication. VEST is currently operational within selected sections of the City of Newark and several cases in both HIDTA and the Division are supporting this program. Participating agencies include: ATF, FBI, ICE, US Marshals, United States Attorney’s Office, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Newark Police Department, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and Newark Housing Department.
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