Turn in your unused drugs to MPD

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Police Department will host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at headquarters, 1618 Springfield Ave. in Maplewood. Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal. For more information, call the Maplewood Health Department at 973-762-8120, ext. 4300. Prescription drugs […]

17 defendants charged in takedown of Newark’s ‘Famous Boyz’ street gang

NEWARK, NJ — Criminal charges against 17 members, associates and drug suppliers of a Newark street gang that allegedly distributed heroin and crack cocaine and possessed and used firearms in furtherance of the gang’s drug-trafficking activities were announced Oct. 11 by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. The charges are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation […]

Local actor takes educational role in opioid discussion

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two local actors, Emma Wagner of Maplewood and Joseph Piserchio of West Orange, will tour New Jersey as part of George Street Playhouse’s Educational Touring Theatre’s new production “Anytown,” a new musical about the opioid crisis and its impact on teens and families. The show premiered Sept. 25 at the George […]

District of NJ announces progress with Project Safe Neighborhoods

NEWARK, NJ — One year ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions has made the centerpiece of the department’s violent crime reduction strategy, according to an Oct. 1 press release from the U.S Attorney’s District of New Jersey Office. PSN is an […]

NJ Transit police saving lives from opioids

NEWARK, NJ — On the front lines in the battle against opioids, NJ Transit Police Department has surpassed 100 life-saving rescues this year through the use of naloxone, more commonly known by its brand name Narcan. Naloxone is a nasal spray used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. All NJ […]

16 charged in 2nd takedown of Newark drug-trafficking organization

NEWARK, NJ — Sixteen people were charged Aug. 21 in connection with their alleged roles in a drug-trafficking organization that distributed heroin and crack cocaine in Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. To date, 27 individuals have been charged in connection to this alleged organization. Anthony Brinson, 27; Kayron Caldwell, 26; Calvin Cheek, 47; Murad […]

Nine charged in $100,000 drug sweep

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced Aug. 13 that nine people were charged and more than $100,000 in cash and drugs were seized after warrants were executed in East Orange, Newark and Irvington. A total of $114,497 was seized. Approximately 33 grams of cocaine with an approximate street value of […]

Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force announced

NEWARK, NJ — Assistant Attorney Gen. Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced on Aug. 13 the formation of the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, […]

Drugged driving on the rise in New Jersey

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Drugged driving in fatal New Jersey crashes has increased significantly over the last decade, according to a new analysis by AAA Northeast. Cannabinoids and narcotics were the categories of drugs most commonly detected in fatally injured drivers. For its analysis, AAA examined the last available decade’s fatality analysis reporting system data […]

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to host opioid community meeting

NEWARK, NJ — The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, along with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and health care professionals, will host a community meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15, to discuss the effects of the opioid crisis in this area. The meeting, which will be held at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Ave. […]