Man Sentenced On Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl Charges In Union County

ROSELLE, NJ — A Roselle man was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on multiple drug charges, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin/fentanyl, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Roselle Police Acting Chief Helder Freire announced Thursday.

Union County Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez, Jr. sentenced James Smith, 49, on May 24 to 10 years in State Prison with a 39-month period of parole ineligibility for second-degree possession of heroin/fentanyl with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park, concurrent to 15 years in State Prison with a 5-year period of parole ineligibility for second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

All remaining counts merged for sentencing purposes.

Smith was initially found guilty on Nov. 16, 2023, on two counts of third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, one count of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, one count of third-degree possession with intent to distribute, as well as two counts of second-degree possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park.

His charges stem from a search warrant executed on May 19, 2021, at a home located within the 200 block of Park Street in Roselle where police found cocaine and heroin/fentanyl.

Authorities also found more than $11,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia, including a scale with cocaine residue and yellow baggies, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutors Nicole Siano and Izabella Wozniak, who prosecuted the case.

Smith was arrested at the scene and was found to be in possession of an additional quantity of cocaine in yellow baggies, as well as more than $300 in cash.

"This sentence sends a strong message that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities," said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. "Drug trafficking destroys lives and tears our communities apart. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring drug traffickers to justice."

Have a news tip? Email [email protected].