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Police Break Up Drug Sales Targeting High School Students
 
South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka today announced charges against three suspects in connection to a narcotics operation targeting high school aged students. A two month investigation initiated after police saw a marked increase in high school aged students using e-cigarettes, such as Juul, with THC in it. Detectives uncovered a social media site that was selling different narcotics targeting youth in the South Brunswick area. The investigation identified the social media site as being run by Mazen Abdelhamid age 19 of Monmouth Junction. South Brunswick detectives learned that Abdelhamid was receiving drug packages via mail. Abdelhamid advertised that he would sell cartridges, raw marijuana, and THC candies including “Stoney Patch Kids” which looked similar to real candy named Sour Patch Kids. He used Snapchat to solicit sales and offered to drive to meet buyers. On two occasions in the past month residents had reported Abdelhamid as possibly selling drugs in different neighborhoods.
 
The United States Postal Inspection Service joined the investigation and identified three suspicious packages being sent to Abdelhamid during the second week of July. On Friday detectives and undercover postal inspectors monitored the Northumberland Apartment complex as a mail carrier left the three packages in a hallway in front of an apartment. Within minutes detectives observed Kimani Daniel age 18 of Monmouth Junction pick up the packages in the hallway. Detectives approached Daniel who immediately indicated the packages were going to be picked up by a 17-year-old in a few minutes. Police arrested Daniel, the 17-year-old and Abdelhamid who was waiting in his apartment in the complex next door.
 
The three packages contained $6400 worth of narcotics including 160 e-cigarette cartridges containing THC.  Mazen Abdelhamid, Kimani Daniel were each charged with possession of over 5 oz. of hashish (high concentration THC)  with intent to distribute, possession of over 5 oz of hashish, and employing a juvenile in a CDS distribution scheme. The juvenile was charged in distribution scheme.
 
Chief Hayducka said “The marked increase in Juul usage and the difficulty in detecting THC in the e-cigarettes is marking juveniles more susceptible to dealers. This group used Instagram and other social media to buy the drugs and market themselves to young people.” He added, “Stopping this group and raising awareness for parents is key to getting ahead of this growing trend”.  
 
Chief Hayducka credited the partnerships the department has with putting the case together. “There was excellent work by South Brunswick Detective Tim Hoover and US Postal Inspectors Rob Waltz to identify the people involved, track the drugs, and stop the sales.” He thanked the United States Postal Inspection Service, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, North Brunswick Police, and the South Brunswick School District for their assistance and cooperation.