Wayne Police Find 1,280 Envelopes Containing Heroin, Arrest Made

WAYNE, NJ — A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple drug charges after officers found 1,280 glassine envelopes containing suspected heroin in his possession, according to the Wayne Police Department.

Anthony Gracia, 31, of Wayne, PA has been charged with possession of heroin, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and other drug related offenses.

According to police, on Sept. 25, officers were conducting a traffic stop in the Mountain View section of the town when they were approached by the owner of a nearby business. The business owner told officers that a suspicious man was on the lot and moving between two parked vehicles with a crowbar.

Officers said they approached the man, who reportedly claimed he had driven one of the vehicles there from the Poconos to assist his friend, whom he knew only as “Tony” with his disabled vehicle. Police noticed that one of the vehicles had damage consistent with a motor vehicle crash that was impeding one of the wheels.

"Tony" was not present, and police said the man told them that he was unable to locate Tony, but he had told him earlier via telephone that he would be walking his dog in the area.

While conducting a check of the suspicious man, officers said they learned that he had a suspended driver’s license. He was advised that he could not drive and to have the registered owner pick up his car from the lot.

A patrol supervisor responded to the scene and told fellow officers he observed a second man sitting in a parked vehicle with a Pennsylvania license plate a short distance away in the neighborhood.

Officers said they approached the second man and asked why he was in the neighborhood. He, too, reportedly stated that he was in the area to help his friend, “Tony,” with his disabled vehicle, but could not locate him.

When police asked if he knew the first man, he stated he did not. According to police, they were suspicious of the two men and maintained surveillance of them from a distance. The first man soon attempted to drive off in one of the vehicles, police said. He was stopped and issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while suspended and other offenses.

Police said the second male drove off through other parts of the neighborhood and out of
sight of the officers before being observed heading for the highway. An officer followed him onto the highway in an unmarked police vehicle and soon observed a dog in view that was not present in the vehicle when the driver spoke with police earlier.

According to police, that officer stopped the vehicle and found a third man was hiding on the floor of the vehicle in the rear seat. Backup officers arrived and observed drug paraphernalia next to the male in the rear seat.

The rear seat passenger, Anthony Gracia, was removed from the vehicle and searched and found to be in possession of 1,280 glassine envelopes containing suspected heroin.

Gracia was arrested and booked into the Passaic County jail.