SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – A Long Valley man is facing drug charges after police allegedly find hundreds of empty wax packets and several hypodermic needles during a traffic stop in Sparta Township Monday morning.
Daniel Gaeta, 30, was charged with failure to inspect, maintenance of lamps, controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic needles.
At 9:50 a.m., township officer Thomas Snyder observed a grey Honda Accord pass his location on Route 15 with an expired inspection sticker and a broken headlight, Sparta Township Police Lieutenant John Lamon said.
Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Snyder spoke with Gaeta and he indicated that he was being treated for a heroin addiction, Lamon said.
Upon receiving Gaeta’s documents, Officer Snyder located a warrant for Gaeta’s arrest out of Essex County. The officer then advised Gaeta of the warrant and asked him to step out of his vehicle, Lamon said.
As Gaeta stepped out of his vehicle, the officer observed a wax packet stamped “UFC” on the driver side floor. When asked about the bag of heroin, Gaeta stated that it was probably empty and further stated that he had multiple empties and syringes in his backpack, Lamon said.
A search of the backpack revealed hundreds of empty wax packets and several hypodermic syringes. Gaeta was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police HQ, Lamon said.
Gaeta was advised of a mandatory court appearance on the Sparta Township charges and was transported to Keogh Dwyer Correctional Facility to await pickup on the Essex County warrant.
“Many addicts will save their empty wax packets of heroin in the event they run out of heroin. They will scrape or lick the empty bags to get any residual heroin powder from the bags to try and avoid getting dope sick,” Lamon said.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
