PARSIPPANY — After being pulled over for making an unsafe lane change on Route 80 in Fairfield, Brian Halpin, 34, Parsippany, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia on Monday, November 28.
In addition to the criminal charges, the Fairfield Police Department charged Halpin with having a suspended license, being an unlicensed driver, making an unsafe lane change and for possessing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle.
According to Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna, the Fairfield Police Department recently began a Route 80 initiative to try and assist with greater enforcement and interdiction efforts on the interstate. Fairfield Officers Jeffrey Dean and Diego Ocampo were patrolling Route 80 on Monday afternoon when they observed a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, later found to be operated by Halpin, making what they considered an unsafe lane change.
“Many drug users and traffickers take the interstate as a faster means of getting to some of the cities located to our east, including New York City to purchase narcotics that will later be used or distributed in our community or in communities west of Fairfield,” said Manna. “When staffing permits, our officers will be on the interstate so that those involved in illegal drug use or distribution will not just contend with being apprehended by state troopers but with our officers as well” said the chief.
Subsequent to investigation during the course of this particular stop, the responding officers stated that they recovered suspected heroin as well as a hypodermic syringe. According to police, Halpin was arrested without incident and his vehicle impounded.
Halpin was released on his own recognizance pending Superior Court action.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
