Bergen County prosecutors recently made the decision to dismiss charges in several drug offense cases due to allegations that Hackensack police conducted illegal searches and seizures.
The controversy revolves around seven officers with the Hackensack Police Department. The Hackensack NJ cops were slapped with suspensions after investigators determined that they illegally searched a suspect’s property in at least one case involving drug possession.
All but one of the suspects worked on the Hackensack Police Department Narcotics Unit, which meant that they often handled investigations and arrests in drug possession and drug distribution cases.
On December 28, 2016, the Hackensack NJ police officers were sent to an apartment on Prospect Avenue after authorities got a report of “narcotics activity.” The officers then allegedly searched the residence without either permission from the resident or probable cause for entering the apartment.
As a result of the allegations against the police officers, 17 defendants in criminal cases in Bergen County have now seen their drug crime charges dropped by prosecutors. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that prosecutors would no longer pursue the charges because the officers who seized evidence in the cases were not credible.
To learn more, view the NorthJersey.com article, “Prosecutor Drops Charges Against 17; Cases Handled by Suspended Hackensack Cops.”