Within a two-week period, efforts by the Guttenberg Police to combat drug dealing led to the arrest of two suspects. The first arrest also uncovered alleged illegal residences, while the second suspect’s alleged attempt to escape from police was thwarted.
According to Guttenberg Police Capt. Joel Magenheimer, residents had complained of drug dealing on Adams Street for some time. After investigating for several weeks, the police arrested Francisco Brito Afa, 48, of Guttenberg on April 7.
Afa was charged with six counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and with possession of a CDS with intent to distribute within a school zone.
According to Investigator Jeff Lugo, Afa allegedly possessed heroin, 10 bags of crack cocaine, two bags of cocaine, and four bags of marijuana. Two thousand dollars was found at his residence on Adams Street.
Police also found that four additional apartments allegedly had been made by splitting the house into cubicles. Afa was allegedly renting out the illegal rooms, which shared a common bathroom and kitchen.
“There’s actually a sign up ‘for rent’ on the front of the building still,” said Lugo.
Magenheimer said the building department will press charges over the illegal apartments.
According to police, there is an outstanding warrant for the arrest of another individual in connection with Afa’s activities.
Broke handcuffs
While on an undercover “quality of life” patrol the night of March 28, Investigator Raphael Martinez was allegedly approached by an individual who asked him if he would like to “smoke,” police said.
Magenheimer said that Martinez declined the offer and walked away, then alerted Lugo that the suspect was walking in his direction. The investigators then observed the individual allegedly dealing drugs to someone else on 69th Street at 1:55 a.m.
Lugo said that Myron Antonio Tercero, 31, of West New York, allegedly struggled with officers when they tried to make the arrest and had to wrestle him to the ground.
After arresting Tercero and bringing him back to headquarters, the suspect complained of high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and a heart murmur, said Lugo.
Police brought the suspect to Palisades Medical Center, where he was admitted and officers were posted to keep watch over his room.
“I don’t know how he did it,” said Magenheimer. “He actually bent the handcuffs we put on him off, and then he tried to hide the fact under the covers. The officer noticed he was hiding his hands under the covers and was eating with one hand.”
Tercero’s plan was foiled by the police, and he was charged with alleged aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of CDS, possession of CDS within 500 feet of a school zone, and two counts of resisting arrest.
At the time of his arrest, Tercero allegedly had two bags of cocaine and 11 bags of marijuana, said Lugo.
Looking out for residents
Magenheimer said that when police do their plainclothes “quality of life” patrols, they are usually looking for drunken or rowdy behavior.
“We’re making the streets better,” said Lugo. “This guy happened to approach an undercover cop [allegedly] asking to smoke with him.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.