Drug Raid Yields Quantity of Heroin, Three Handguns, & Child Endangerment
Friday, September 27, 2013
Gloucester Township Police Media Advisory
September 26, 2013
The Gloucester Township Police Department Special Investigations Unit recently concluded a thorough investigation into the sale of Narcotics in Gloucester Township. This is a continued effort in addressing the national problem of drug abuse, more specifically heroin and prescription pills. Heroin is a highly addictive drug where addiction use has long been associated with crime because many addicted people turn to theft, prostitution, and various other criminal activities to obtain money to buy the drug. The Gloucester Township Police Department has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat this 2013 growing abuse of heroin which recently led to reported fatal overdoses.
During the months of August and September, a local drug dealer was the focus of a prolonged police investigation. Darren L. Byrd, a 38 year old male from Gloucester Township, was reported to be distributing Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), specifically heroin. Information was received that Byrd was distributing significant quantities of heroin from his residence in the residential neighborhood of Catalina Hills, Gloucester Township. On September 26, 2013, the Gloucester Township Special Investigations Unit and Special Response Team (SWAT) executed a search warrant on the 600 block of Pasadena Drive of Gloucester Township. A quantity of heroin, numerous packaging materials, and three (3) handguns were recovered in the residence. One of the handguns and the heroin was within reach of a 6 year old child who was sleeping. Byrd was charged with Certain Person Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm (2nd degree), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd degree), Distribution of CDS (3rd degree), Possession of CDS (3rd degree), and Minor’s Access to a Loaded Firearm (disorderly persons). He was remanded in default of $50,000.00 full cash bail.
The arrest of this individual is another example of the continued enhanced criminal enforcement campaigns targeting those who illegally distribute narcotics in Gloucester Township. The Gloucester Township Police Department will continue to attack the abuse and sale of these highly addictive narcotics in our community.
Arrest #1:
Name: Darren L. Byrd 38 YOA
600 block of Pasadena Drive
Gloucester Township, NJ
