man used grocery store as heroin production center

[clinton (OP)]

http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/index.ssf/2016/03/man_allegedly_sold_heroin_out_of_his_paterson_groc.html

PATERSON — A grocer was accused Wednesday of using his business as a heroin production facility, authorities said.

Jose Paulino, 49, of Paterson, was arrested Wednesday following a month-long investigation and a raid by the Passaic County Sheriff's Office narcotics bureau, Sheriff Richard Berdnik said in a news release.

Paulino, authorities say, was used his Carroll Street business, Chelo Grocery Store, and an Infiniti FX 35 to distribute narcotics.

Detectives raided both locations Wednesday and seized 250 glassines of heroin, $6,538 in cash and paraphernalia consistent with maintaining a narcotics production facility, such as thousands of empty glassines, grinders, digital scales and rubber bands, Berdnik said.

Paulino was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of School 6 and maintaining a narcotics production facility. He was taken to the Paterson cell block pending bail.

The Infiniti was seized pending forfeiture proceedings.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.