New Jersey State Police working with the Union County Sheriff's Department and federal Drug Enforcement Agency officials recently conducted a citywide operation in Plainfield. The drug sweep was performed June 28 and allegedly recovered 150 bags of heroin. Authorities also say that 18 people were arrested as a result of the operation.

The surveillance operation resulted in arrests for various drug charges being made at five different locations throughout the city. Interagency operation such as this one seem to be an increasingly common tool for law enforcement agencies to round up individuals who they allege are involved in drug crimes

Incidents leading to the arrests that were made include a North Plainfield man who was arrested after allegedly selling narcotics to seven different people. He is charged with 12 drug related offenses. Police said there were three different drug transactions. A 16-year-old male was placed under arrest for being a lookout.

Three other men were also arrested and charged with drug offenses after allegedly selling narcotics to multiple people. The people they allegedly sold drugs to were also arrested. A Plainfield woman was arrested after allegedly engaging in a narcotics transaction. She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said that another man was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

At least $1,000 cash and smaller amounts of marijuana and cocaine were seized along with 150 bags of heroin. Most of the people who were arrested were released with summons, one of them posted bail and five were transferred to the Union County Jail.

SOUCRE: MyCentralJersey.com "18 arrested, 150 bags of heroin taken" Mark Spivey, June 30, 2011