SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Police seized more than 240 decks of heroin along with ½-ounce of cocaine after executing a search warrant on March 5.
Police had received information that Lazaro Ruiz-Caceres, 46, of Hightstown, may have been selling narcotics out of area motels, according to a statement prepared by the South Brunswick Police Department.
Officer Raymond McCarthy allegedly observed Ruiz-Caceres and Megan Knowles, 24, of Jamesburg, at an area motel that night. McCarthy allegedly observed 20 decks of heroin in plain view when he spoke with the two people.
Both Ruiz-Caceres and Knowles were charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance and released after posting bail.
Police also allegedly located a safe at the motel which belonged to Ruiz-Caceres, according to police. McCarthy conducted an additional investigation and obtained a search warrant for the safe on March 8. Police allegedly searched the safe and recovered 220 additional decks of heroin along with cocaine.
Ruiz-Caceres was charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia for distribution. He surrendered March 9 at police headquarters. He was processed and released after posting $20,000 bail.
“We will aggressively pursue those dealing drugs. This case was a combination of good police work and citizen cooperation. Residents getting involved makes the difference every time,” said South Brunswick Police Chief Hayducka, who thanked members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance with the case.
Middlesex County has seen the highest growth rate for deaths associated with heroin between 2010 and 2014, according to data reported by the New Jersey State Medical Examiner’s Office. In 2014, the last year for which data has been reported; there were 78 heroin-related deaths in Middlesex County alone, the second highest count for counties in the state.