2 arrested in connection with long term narcotics investigation in Northern New Jersey
NORTHERN NEW JERSEY – A joint investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics, Gangs, and Violent Crimes Task Force in conjunction with the Wayne Police Department has led to the arrests of Demoy Woolley, 23, and Qa’Lasia Williams, 25, both from North Haledon in relation to a long term multi-agency narcotics investigation, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.
Woolley and Williams are both charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute Within 1,000 feet of school property, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Valdes said.
The arrests were based upon a long-term investigation that originated in November 2023 and continued to March 2024 targeting Woolley and Williams, Valdes said.
During the course of the investigation, various Federal, State, County, and Local agencies provided investigative assets and assistance to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Wayne Police Department. Assisting investigative agencies included the Haledon Police Department, Clifton Police Department, Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, United States Secret Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Search warrants for ten locations within Passaic, Bergen, and Sussex Counties were executed on March 25 resulting in the arrests of Woolley and Williams, Valdes said.
Agencies that assisted with the execution of the search warrants in addition to the investigative partners included the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, North Haledon Police Department, Garfield Police Department, and Elmwood Park Police Department, Valdes said.
“As a result of the execution of the search warrants, additional individuals were also arrested,” Valdes said.
The following items were seized during the course of the search warrants executions:
- 107,089 in US currency
- (1) Taurus 9mm handgun with high-capacity magazine
- (56) rounds of ammunition
- 12,100 glassines of suspected heroin/fentanyl
- 1 ounce of raw suspected heroin/fentanyl
- 9.5 ounces of suspected cocaine/crack cocaine
- 8 pounds of suspected marijuana
- Several large bottles of Promethazine
The sentencing exposure for Woolley and Williams on first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison; on the third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; on the third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison, and the second-degree endangering the welfare of a child it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison, Valdes said.
“The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available,” Valdes said.
Woolley appeared at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court on March 27 and the state has filed a motion for pre-trial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge, Valdes said.
Williams currently has no date scheduled for Central Judicial Processing (CJP). Both individuals remain detained at this time, Valdes said.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or email tips@passaiccountynj.org.
