Defendant Sentenced for Distributing Narcotics Through the Mail
Published on January 10, 2024
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Chief Dean Adone of the Roxbury Township Police Department announce the sentencing of Eldridge Cruzado, 21, of Kenvil, New Jersey.
During the months of May and June 2023, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Roxbury Township Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated Eldridge Cruzado for the distribution of various narcotics across the state and country through the delivery of drug packages to several post offices in Morris County. Several of these packages were seized and resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of Lysergic acid diethylamide, or “LSD” as it is commonly known. After the execution of search warrants at the defendant’s residence, Eldridge Cruzado was placed under arrest and charged.
On November 13, 2023, the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C., accepted Cruzado’s plea of guilty to an amended count of second-degree distribution of LSD.
On January 5, 2024, Cruzado was sentenced to ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison for the distribution offense.
Prosecutor Carroll said, “This resolution was the result of excellent police work by the Roxbury Township Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit. It continues a trend in the right direction of removing dangerous narcotics from our streets and bringing accountability to those who seek to endanger our community.”
Chief Adone said, “This case originated from a patrol response to a routine call for service. Ptl. Nicole Parichuk conducted an initial investigation and quickly determined that more follow-up was needed. Ptl. Parichuk notified our Detective Bureau of her findings, and they began working the case immediately. This was a ground up investigation that involved hours of good police work by everyone involved. I would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutors Office Special Enforcement Unit and the United States Postal Inspection Service for the assistance they provided our Department. Without their help we would not have had the same level of success in this case.”
The prosecution of this matter was handled by Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operation’s Division, Task Force Officer Scott Weaver of the Roxbury Township Police Department, and Sergeant Jimmy Atoche, who directly supervises the Special Enforcement Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to [email protected].