Two Arrested and Over 17,000 Wax Folds of Suspected Heroin and Fentanyl Seized in Takedown of Major Opioid Mill in Paterson
Arrests made in investigation by Division of Criminal Justice and Paterson Police Department

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced that two individuals were arrested on first-degree drug charges during the takedown of a major opioid mill in Paterson, where over 17,000 wax folds of suspected heroin and fentanyl were seized. Detectives seized rubber ink stamps – used to stamp brands on wax folds – bearing the same brand names that have been linked to 18 overdoses, including 10 fatal overdoses.

The arrests and seizures are the result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau and the Paterson Police Department Narcotics Division.

Rafael Brito, aka “Chiquito,” 33, and his girlfriend, Rosanny Prado, 38, were arrested yesterday at their residence in the first block of East 36th Street in Paterson on the following charges:

Maintaining or Operating a Narcotics Production Facility (1st degree)
Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute (1st degree)
Fortifying a Narcotics Manufacturing/Distribution Facility (3rd degree)
Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Within 1,000 Feet of a School (3rd degree)
Possession of Heroin (3rd degree)

During execution of a search warrant at the home, detectives discovered an active opioid mill in the basement, where they seized over 17,000 wax folds of suspected heroin and fentanyl along with milling equipment and packaging materials. The residence was equipped with numerous surveillance cameras connected to two video monitors set up over the tables in the basement where the drugs were processed.