Fair Lawn Teen Arrested After Police Find $20K, Marijuana

FAIR LAWN, NJ – A 17-year-old Fair Lawn boy was taken into custody after police say they discovered nearly $20,000, along with marijuana and packaging materials, hidden around his family’s home.

Sgt. Brian Metzler said the teen’s arrest followed a two-week investigation into the distribution of marijuana around town.

On Jan. 15, detectives executed a search warrant of a Jerome Place home, which turned up three-fourths of a pound of marijuana hidden inside along with materials for packaging marijuana that were stashed in different parts of the house, he said.

Police also discovered $19,746 hidden in a coffee maker and inside envelopes in coat pockets that were kept in various closets around the house, Metzler said.

The 17-year-old boy was released to a family member and will be charged as a juvenile with possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, distribution of marijuana, distribution of marijuana within a school zone and possession of drug paraphernalia, Metzler said.

A 23-year-old woman from Fair Lawn was taken into custody after handing over marijuana and edible marijuana upon request from a detective and was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, the sergeant said.

Detectives also arrested a 17-year-old girl who was found smoking marijuana inside of the home, he said. She was released to a relative and will be charged as a juvenile with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to Metzler.

The investigation and search was conducted by Fair Lawn Det. Brian Rypkema, Det. Anthony Lugo, Det. Paul Donohue, Det. Mark Wyka, P.O. Juan Rodriguez, Det/Sgt. Nicholas Snyder & Det/Lt. Tim O’Shaughnessy were involved in the investigation and executing the warrant.