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Morris County Narcotics Network Operated Through Postal Service
In a joint operation, local and federal agencies dismantle a narcotics network operating through postal services, highlighting effective law enforcement collaboration.
Morristown, NJ (January 10, 2024) – A significant breakthrough in narcotics control was achieved in Morris County as 21-year-old Eldridge Cruzado of Kenvil, NJ, was sentenced to a decade in state prison for distributing Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) via mail. This sentence marks a substantial victory in the relentless fight against drug trafficking in New Jersey.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Township Police Chief Dean Adone led the announcement of the sentencing, a culmination of extensive investigative efforts by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Roxbury Township Police, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. These law enforcement agencies collaboratively unearthed the drug distribution network spearheaded by Cruzado, which spanned across the state and beyond.
The investigation, primarily conducted in May and June 2023, involved meticulous tracking and interception of drug packages distributed to various post offices in Morris County. The seizure of these packages led to the discovery of significant amounts of LSD. The subsequent execution of search warrants at Cruzado's residence resulted in his arrest and eventual prosecution.
On November 13, 2023, Judge Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C., accepted Cruzado's guilty plea to a revised charge of second-degree distribution of LSD. Following this, Cruzado received his sentencing on January 5, 2024, committing him to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
Prosecutor Carroll lauded the successful resolution as a testament to the outstanding police work by the involved departments. "This resolution was the result of excellent police work... It continues a trend in the right direction of removing dangerous narcotics from our streets and bringing accountability to those who seek to endanger our community,” he stated.
Chief Adone emphasized the grassroots nature of this investigation, which started from a routine patrol response by Ptl. Nicole Parichuk. Her initial findings and prompt action led to a comprehensive investigation, embodying the dedication and meticulous work of the law enforcement teams.
“This was a ground-up investigation that involved hours of good police work by everyone involved,” Chief Adone remarked, also acknowledging the critical support from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, Task Force Officer Scott Weaver of the Roxbury Township Police Department, and Sergeant Jimmy Atoche, supervisor of the Special Enforcement Unit, were key figures in the prosecution of this case.
This significant sentencing sends a clear message about the zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking in New Jersey, reaffirming the commitment of law enforcement agencies to safeguard communities from the perils of narcotics distribution.
