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Bergen County Man Sentenced to Six Years for Heroin Distribution
Authorities uncover two kilograms of suspected heroin, fentanyl, and over $400K in drug proceeds.
A Bergen County man has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for possessing more than 100 grams of heroin with intent to distribute, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Dawan A. Brown, 37, of Cliffside Park pleaded guilty to the charge before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti, who imposed the sentence in Newark federal court. In addition to the prison term, Brown must serve four years of supervised release.
Major Narcotics Operation
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating drug trafficking activities in and around Harrison, New Jersey in January 2022. Authorities identified Brown—also known as “DB”—as a principal distributor. They allege that he “packaged and distributed large amounts of heroin from an apartment in a building located in Harrison, New Jersey.”
On June 14, 2022, officers executed search warrants at both the Harrison apartment and Brown’s residence in Cliffside Park. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
“From the apartment in Harrison, officers recovered approximately two kilograms of narcotics, suspected to contain amounts of heroin and fentanyl; drug paraphernalia, including a ledger, a safe, scales, a coffee and spice grinder, ink pads, stamps, Ziplock bags, vacuum bags and a vacuum bag sealer machine, razor blades, glassine envelopes and strainers; and approximately $34,000 that was contained within the safe along with some of the suspected heroin and fentanyl.”
At Brown’s Cliffside Park residence, authorities seized “approximately $169,000, five cell phones, safety deposit keys, and various jewelry including diamond necklaces, gold watches, and a gold ring.” Officers also “recovered approximately $225,000 from safety deposit boxes that were associated with Brown.”
Forfeiture and Sentencing
In a plea agreement, Brown “agreed to forfeit $436,615.95, the proceeds from the narcotics trafficking.” Judge Martinotti imposed a 72-month prison sentence and four years of supervised release.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited a number of agencies with conducting the investigation, including:
- FBI Newark Field Office, under Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Driscoll
- Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II
- Harrison Police Department, led by Chief David Strumolo
- Cliffside Park Police Department, led by Chief Marc Marano
Additional support came from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Bloomfield Police Department, Newark Police Department, Irvington Police Department, Hillsborough Police Department, and the Fort Lee Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Frazer of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark prosecuted the case.
This sentence highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to combat large-scale drug trafficking in North Jersey. Residents are encouraged to report suspected narcotics activity to local law enforcement or the FBI to help curb illegal distribution in the community.
