Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jun 2001
Source: Bergen Record (NJ)
Copyright: 2001 Bergen Record Corp.
Contact:  http://www.bergen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44
Author: Ashanti M. Alvarez

PATERSON RAID NETS A MOUNTAIN OF MARIJUANA

PATERSON -- Prosecutors on Friday got a lot of marijuana off city streets 
- -- 33 pounds -- but they say it won't cause a drought for the casual pothead.

"Unfortunately, drugs are so prevalent. I don't think you can say this is 
going to put a dent in the neighborhood [drug market]," said Paul Uhlik, 
senior assistant Passaic County Prosecutor with the narcotics task force.

The neighborhood drug market in this case, say police, was the Sandy Hill 
section. Passaic County officers executed a warrant for an apartment on 
Summer Street, where they said they arrested 22-year-old Miguel Rivera with 
about 2 ounces of marijuana, an illegal sawed-off shotgun, and about $100 cash.

But the big bust came when 22-year-old Luis Vasquez, who officials said 
lived in a rear apartment, allowed police to search his place, Uhlik said. 
Inside, he said, they found 33 pounds of marijuana -- some in bricks, some 
packed by the ounce or pound. Uhlik said it was probably the agency's 
largest marijuana bust in years.

"This is obviously not some small-time dealer," Uhlik said. "Certainly, a 
street-level dealer is not going to have 33 pounds of marijuana. He's 
certainly supplying other dealers with that quantity."

Uhlik said the 33 pounds, in bulk, had a street value of $25,000 to $30,000.

However, "if it's split into smaller [units], you can increase the profit," 
he said.

A dealer selling 33 pounds of marijuana in "dime bags" -- street slang for 
a typical small bag weighing about 1 gram and costing $10 -- would net 
about $150,000.

As profit potential increases, however, so does risk: Because he is accused 
of having more than 25 pounds of marijuana, Vasquez faces elevated 
penalties, perhaps of up to 20 years in prison upon conviction. He was 
charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, 
intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and 500 feet of a park, 
and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities charged Rivera with possession of marijuana, possession of 
marijuana with intent to distribute, intent to distribute within 1000 feet 
of school and within 500 feet of a park, and possession of the sawed-off 
shotgun.

Because Rivera's distribution charge -- the most serious drug charge 
against him -- allegedly involves more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds 
of marijuana, he could face a three-to five-year prison term if convicted.

Both suspects were being processed Friday in Paterson.
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