Mendham Jails Alleged Drug Dealers From Morristown

By Russ Crespolini

A pair of 21-year-old Morristown residents were charged with intent to distribute drugs and jailed after a traffic stop on June 19, Mendham Township police said.

Andres Castano was stopped for failing to maintain his lane and was unable to perform standard field sobriety tests, Lt. Vito Abrusci said. Castano refused to authorize a search of his vehicle so a search warrant issued by Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz and with the assistance of the Morris County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit was executed, Abrusci said. 

The search uncovered more than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia consistent with drug distribution, Abrusci said. Mendham Municipal Court Judge Gary Troxell ordered $40,000 bail with no 10 percent option for Castano and $7,500 with no 10 percent option for Castano's passenger, Jenna LaRoche, Abrusci said.

Both were charged with possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Abrusci said. 

Castano and LaRoche are scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Morristown in July, Abrusci said.