“OPERATION FLAT CRACK”

            On February 15, 2007 a multi-jurisdictional investigation initiated by Det. Thomas Mannion of the West New York Police Department culminated with the execution of several search warrants.
            Through the investigation conducted by members of the West New York Police Department, the North Bergen Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, it was learned that the co-conspirators of this illegal drug network utilized pagers and a “dispatcher” to conduct business.  A customer would contact the 'Dispatcher' via pager. The 'Dispatcher' would call back the phone number he received on his pager and instruct the customer to go to a certain location. The 'Dispatcher' would then call his 'driver' and direct him to the determined location to complete the deal. Between the hours of operation from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM up to three drivers would deliver Crack and Cocaine.
            The residence that was utilized by the operation was 'fortified' thru three miniature surveillance cameras which observed the street. They also had monitors set up in the living room, bedroom and kitchen area.  At the time that the officers executed a search warrant upon the premise, two individuals were sitting by the monitors.
            The investigation resulted in six arrests for CDS Distribution related charges. That also included one arrestee who was charged with being a Leader of a Narcotic Trafficking Organization.
            Seized were six hundred thirty-five (635) grams of crack and cocaine, eight thousand three hundred eighty-three dollars $8383.00 in cash and seven vehicles involved in this drug distribution scheme.
            The investigation was named “Operation Flat Crack” because the crack cocaine was being distributed in the shape of flat chewing gum. 
            The NJNEOA commends Detective Thomas Mannion, the officers from the West New York Police Department, The North Bergen Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office on their perseverance and dedication in the enforcement of the state’s narcotic statutes.