Press Release - Drug Arrest

On 6/7/2016, at approximately 5:08 pm, plain clothes officers Ramon Cruz and Peter Morano were conducting surveillance in the area of Murray Hill TC / Sylvan Ave when they observed a male pacing back and forth on Sylvan Ave., attempting to flag down cars as they drove by. Officers, with the assistance of Detective David Tortora, approached the male on foot at which time, he threw a clear medium sized plastic bag in the driveway of a home. Officer Cruz immediately retrieved the bag, which contained 15 individually packaged in aluminum foil, a white powdery substance, suspected crack / cocaine.

The male was placed under arrest and identified as Kenneth Harding, age 50 of Bergenfield, NJ. Kenneth Harding was transported to headquarters and charged with the following: 2C:35-10A(1), Possession of crack/cocaine. 2C:35-5A(1), Possession with intent to distribute crack/cocaine.

2C:35-7.1A, Distribution of crack/cocaine within 500 feet of John Lafferty Park. 2C:35-7.1A, Distribution of crack/cocaine within 500 feet of a public housing (293 Murray Hill TC). 2C:35-7A, Possession with intent to distribute crack/cocaine within 1000 feet of a school (Hoover Elementary School).

Bail was set by Bergenfield Municipal Court Judge Herbert in the amount of $100,000. With no 10 % option on two warrants and $45,000 with 10 % option on three additional warrants. Total bail of $145,000. Kenneth Harding was unable to post bail and transported to Bergen County Jail.