Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force seizes nearly $1M in weed during drug bust

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force seized nearly $1 million in marijuana during a drug bust at the end of last year, Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

On December 27th, following a brief investigation, members of the Hudson County
Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Homeland Security Investigations – Newark Office – arrested a Maplewood man for possession and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and marijuana wax in the City of Orange, Suarez said in a statement.

NTF Officers arrested Dave Eliassaint, 30, of Maplewood, after recovering a crate in his
possession that contained more than 380 pounds of high-grade marijuana, officials said.

Subsequent search warrants resulted in the seizure of more than 20 pounds of marijuana wax, vape cartridges containing liquid THC, scales, equipment utilized to convert raw marijuana into liquid and the packaging materials utilized for reselling controlled dangerous substances, police said.

The total street value of the CDS that was seized is approximately $1,000,000. As a result, Eliassaint has been charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana within 500 feet of a park and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, authorities said.

In addition to the NTF Officers, Suarez credited the Homeland Security Investigations – Newark Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for assisting in the searches and the arrest.