Paramus Cops Find $15K, 2 Loaded Guns, Drugs In Car

PARAMUS, NJ – Paramus police say they found two loaded handguns, more than a hundred bundles of heroin and $15,000 cash inside of a vehicle that was pulled over early Wednesday morning on Route 4.

Following the traffic stop, Jesus Rosado-Santiago, 24, of Ozone Park, NY, and Julian Lopez, 31, of the Bronx, were taken into custody for illegal possession of weapons, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and money laundering, Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said.

That morning around 2:15 a.m, Officer William Stallone spotted a 2014 Acura sedan that was unable to stay in its lane on Route 4 east, the chief said.

After a computer check of the car’s plate revealed it didn’t belong to the Acura, Stallone pulled the driver over near Spring Valley Road, Ehrenberg said.

Stallone, with assistance from Officer Tim Reed and Officer Michael Mordaga, spoke with the vehicle’s two occupants, Rosado-Santiago and Lopez, and determined both of their licenses were currently suspended, Ehrenberg said.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a loaded Glock 22 handgun and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun. The officers also found over 100 bundles of heroin and crack cocaine, along with several bags of fentanyl and assorted pills, Ehrenberg said.

Additionally, police discovered more than $15,000 in cash inside the car, the chief said.

Both men were arrested and taken to Paramus Police Department, where they were each charged with unlawful possession of weapons, money laundering, possession of a control dangerous substance with intent to distribute and hindering apprehension (by false information).