"THE GREEN FENCE"

During June 2002, Investigator Daniel Ruschak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Task Force received information about an individual, who had taken over the drug business of another individual that had recently been incarcerated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The information was that if you called this certain pager number and told the person who returned your call that you were by the "green fence" in Raritan Center, he in turn would meet you at the "green fence" and sell you whatever quantity of cocaine you requested.

In July, Detective Jeff Abrams of the Edison Police Department began making undercover purchases of cocaine from the individual at the "green fence." For the next few months, undercover purchases, along with surveillance were utilized in an attempt to ascertain the scope of the individual's "drug business."

On february 11, the investigation culminated with the arrest of this individual as he met with detective Abrams at the "green fence." Seized from his person was one-half ounce of cocaine, along with eight hundred sixty dollars.

A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a hidden hydraulic trap, from where eight ounces of cocaine and two thousand six hundred dollars was seized.

Additional searches of both his residence in Perth Amboy and a "stash" house in Jersey City resulted in an additional seizure of a kilogram of cocaine, as well as packaging material.

The NJNEOA commends Investigator Daniel Ruschak, Detective Jeff Abrams, the Middlesex County Narcotic Task Force, the Edison Police Department, the Perth Amboy Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Task Force for their innovativeness, spirit of cooperation and perservering efforts in a multi-jurisdictional operation.

The hidden trap located underneath the center console.