PATERSON — A detective was forced to shoot a dog that attacked investigators during a raid of a fortified Paterson drug den Friday, authorities said.
When Passaic County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives entered the Park Place apartment, a person inside released one of two dogs on the officers, Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said. A detective fired a single shot to stop the attack.
Inside, investigators discovered more than 1.5 ounces of crack-cocaine, marijuana, heroin, about $1,400 and a loaded Taurus 357 magnum handgun stolen from North Carolina, Berdnik said. Six people arrested in the apartment tried to flush the drugs down the toilet as cops moved in.
The drug den was outfitted with video surveillance cameras watching the entrances along with layers of heavy-duty deadbolts and locks at the doors, according to the sheriff.
“I want to commend the detectives involved in taking down this illegal drug operation,” Berdnik said in a statement. “The reality is simple, anytime illegal guns are part of the equation, violence is a distinct possibility.”
The wounded dog was treated at the scene and taken to a veterinarian by Paterson animal control officers, according to the sheriff. The animal’s condition was not immediately available Saturday.
Arrested at the scene were Paige Appel, 23, of Paterson, and Nicole Kenyon, 18, of Hewitt, both charged with loitering to commit a drug offense and possession drug paraphernalia, authorities said. Appel was wanted on warrants issued in Fair Lawn and West Milford, and held at the county jail. Kenyon was released on her own recognizance.
Four Paterson men — Tarrell Whitaker, 28, Keshawn Kennedy, 28, Rasheen McClam, 29, and Frank Weathers, 53 — were charged with a slew of drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute crack-cocaine, possession with intent to distribute to heroin, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, all within 1000 feet of a school and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Kennedy, McClam, and Weathers were also held on outstanding warrants in Passaic County, the sheriff said. Whitaker was being held at the Paterson police lockup.
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