Leonia NJ police recently arrested three people who were allegedly traveling with a large quantity of heroin valued at more than $25,000.

According to officials, a Leonia police sergeant was on patrol near Broad Avenue in Leonia New Jersey around 2:00 a.m. when he saw an illegally parked Dodge Charger. The police officer pulled up alongside the vehicle and spoke with the three vehicle occupants.

While talking to the suspects, the police officer reportedly noticed a small bag of marijuana. According to the officer, the bag of pot was in plain view.

A K-9 unit with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the scene to assist the officer. During a subsequent search of the suspects’ vehicle, police reportedly found 4.5 ounces of uncut heroin. Police also allegedly discovered $3,000 in cash.

The driver of the vehicle, a 24-year-old man from Maryland, was placed under arrest. The two passengers in the car, both from West Virginia, were also arrested.

All three suspects have been charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin.

If the suspects are ultimately convicted on the heroin distribution charges, they face severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, intent to distribute more than one-half ounce of heroin is a second degree felony and carries a punishment of 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “$25K in Heroin Seized After Car Stop, Police Say.”