"IT PAYS TO BE OBSERVANT!!!"

Being in the right place at the right time and paying attention to detail help Montvale Police Officer Ryan VanDalinda make exceptional narcotic arrests. Over the last year, Officer VanDalinda has made numerous arrests for possession of CDS and paraphernalia and three arrests for distribution after conducting motor vehicle stops.

His consistency and perserverance for narcotics interdiction makes Officer VanDalinda an attribute to the Montvale Police Department. His arrest numbers inspire other officers in the department and surrounding area to aggressively intercept narcotics. Officer VanDalinda has seized over a pound of marijuana, several ounces of cocaine, crack cocaine and numerous pieces of paraphernalia. He has also seized two handguns and several knives.

Officer VanDalinda's first two arrests for distribution came on 12/31/2002 when 35 bags totaling 4 ounces of marijuana were seized, and again on 5/28/2003 when 22 bags totaling 3 ounces of marijuana were seized.

His latest distribution arrest occurred in August 2003 when Officer VanDalinda conducted a motor vehicle stop on a suspect vehicle and, upon approaching the vehicle, observed both the driver and passenger with marijuana and cigar leaves on their laps. Further investigation revealed an additional 91 baggies and one larger plastic bag concealed under a tire in the trunk. The total weight seized in that arrest was in excess of 7 ounces. The suspect was charged with distribution and was also wanted by NYPD for distribution of narcotics and is being held at the Bergen County Jail.

The NJNEOA congratulates Officer Ryan VanDalinda for exemplifying narcotic interdiction at the patrol level.