Paterson New Jersey police recently arrested a man accused of possessing a large amount of heroin.

According to Paterson authorities, police got a tip about heroin being sold near the intersection of May Street and Highland Street in Paterson, NJ. The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Narcotics then began an investigation and conducted surveillance in the area.

Passaic County detectives allegedly saw the suspect in the process of selling heroin. The suspect reportedly had a small cardboard box that was filled with glassine envelopes of heroin. Police reportedly watched the suspect as he carried the box and waved down a passing SUV.

Police officers then approached the suspect, prompting the driver of the vehicle to flee the area.

Passaic County police seized the suspect’s cardboard box and allegedly saw that it contained 500 glassine envelopes filled with heroin. Law enforcement later said that the heroin has a street value of roughly $2,500.

The suspect is a 21-year-old man from Paterson, New Jersey. He was arrested and charged with several drug offenses, including heroin possession, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and heroin distribution near school property.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted of distributing heroin, he would be subject to severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, a person caught selling even a small amount of heroin can be charged with a third degree crime that carries a potential penalty of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

The penalties imposed against the suspect, if convicted, could also be enhanced because he has a prior arrest for distribution of heroin. According to Passaic County law enforcement, the suspect was placed under arrest in July 2015 when detectives observed him conducting an illegal drug deal.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Paterson Man Had 500 Heroin Packets, Sheriff Says.”