By: Richard L. Smith
A Bergen County man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dawan A. Brown, 37, of Cliffside Park pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court.
The sentencing follows an extensive investigation into drug trafficking activities across New Jersey, including operations based in an apartment building in Harrison.
According to court documents and statements, Brown, also known as "DB," used the Harrison apartment to package and distribute significant quantities of heroin.
Law enforcement executed search warrants on June 14, 2022, at both the Harrison apartment and Brown's residence in Cliffside Park.
From the Harrison location, authorities recovered approximately two kilograms of narcotics, including suspected heroin and fentanyl.
Additional items seized included $34,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia such as scales, ink pads, and glassine envelopes, and equipment for packaging and distributing drugs.
At Brown’s Cliffside Park residence, officers found $169,000 in cash, five cell phones, keys to safety deposit boxes, and valuable jewelry, including diamond necklaces and gold watches.
Searches of safety deposit boxes tied to Brown yielded an additional $225,000 in cash. In total, Brown agreed to forfeit $436,615.95 as proceeds from his drug trafficking activities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna praised the law enforcement efforts that led to the successful prosecution.
"This case demonstrates our commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and holding those responsible accountable," he said.
Brown's arrest and conviction underscore the pervasive reach of drug distribution networks and the significant resources required to combat them.
With this sentencing, law enforcement aims to send a clear message that illegal drug activities will not be tolerated in communities like Harrison and beyond.
The U.S. Department of Justice continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking organizations that harm local communities and endanger lives.