Wayne Police Arrest Two Suspected Drug Dealers After “Months-Long” Investigation

WAYNE, NJ – The Special Operations Unit of the Wayne Police have been conducting surveillance of suspected drug deals happening in town over the last few months. It culminated in two arrests this past Tuesday, when Wayne PD, with the support of three other agencies finally made their move on two targets.

This is based on a statement given by Wayne Police Public Information Officer, Detective Captain Dan Daly.

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It was a resident who provided the tip, calling Wayne’s Finest and alerting them of possible “drug activity.”  Officers from the Special Operations Unit began an investigation and they, along with the members of the Investigative Division identified two possible suspects who were seen “engaged in drug sales in multiple parking lots in Wayne Township,” this past Tuesday.

They called in some help and officers from the Wayne PD Patrol Division, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Haledon Police Department and the Pompton Lakes Police Department responded.

Together they moved in after a suspected drug sale by Louis C. Colao (50) of Prospect Park, arresting the buyers and seizing all the drugs. Simultaneously, officers who were tailing Colao, stopped him and arrested him as well.

A second target of their investigation, Armando Verdina (45) of Paterson was also arrested for “distribution of unregulated marijuana.”

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According to Daly, detectives searched “two locations,” in Prospect Park and Paterson and “continued surveillance.” What they discovered were: “Additional prescription drugs, including 141 Suboxone Strips, 83 Oxycodone Pills, two Xanax Pills, 17 Buprenorphone-Suboxone Pills and five ounces of Marijuana. As well as $8,055 in cash, and drug packaging and documentation related to illegal drug sales.”

Colao was handed a laundry list of 23 charges, which included:

• Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (2 Counts)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance (8 Counts)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 Feet of a School (5 Counts)
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (7 Counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (1 Count)

The other target of the investigation, Verdina had two charges levied against him: one count each of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“All arrested were charged on summonses and released in accordance with bail reform guidelines,” explained Daly. “The charges against all arrested are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

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