JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The presentation by Appraisal Systems, Inc. followed by resident questions/comments and answers.
Click here to the PowerPoint that Appraisal Systems used during the presentation. You can minimize the video and follow along with the PowerPoint.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Randolph Police Department Chief Keith Donovan, Boonton Police Chief Chris Petonak, Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, Roxbury Police Chief Matthew Holland, Denville Police Chief Scott Welsch, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Richard Pantina announced that several defendants have been charged in connection with a multi-agency investigation targeting smoke shops in Boonton, Montville Township, Randolph Township, and Roxbury Township.
The investigation was conducted in furtherance of the New Jersey Attorney General’s initiative targeting smoke shops that sell illegal flavored vapes, intoxicating hemp products, and marijuana.
Agencies involved in the investigation included the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, the Randolph Township Police Department, the Boonton Police Department, the Montville Township Police Department, the Roxbury Police Department, the Denville Township Police Department, the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Morris County Weights and Measures, the Morris County Division of Health, and personnel from local municipal health departments.
Beginning in April 2026, investigators focused on four stores in Boonton, one store in Montville, two stores in Randolph Township, and four stores in Roxbury Township that were selling marijuana, intoxicating hemp products including tetrahydrocannabinol vapes, and illegally flavored vapes without a license or permit to operate as cannabis dispensaries.
On July 1, 2026, eleven search warrants were executed simultaneously at the businesses, as well as at a residence and a vehicle. The following items were seized as evidence:
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed if appropriate.
The following individuals were charged in connection with the investigation:
Dhafer Ghaleb, owner, and Ali Alsaydi, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.
Firas Damra and Madhat Abunasser, owner, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. David Grzesiak, employee, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sandra Porras was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ashley Naranjo Belaczar, employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
Srinivasa Koppisetti, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, and unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication.
Goktan Ozdemir, manager, and Levent Unal, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
Devinder Singh, owner, Amit Pundir, employee, and Dinesh Chander, employee, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anthony Castro, employee, was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Mead Almontaser, owner, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals for sale for the purpose of intoxication, unlawful possession of toxic chemicals inhaled to cause intoxication, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.
Jigarkumar Patel, Riya Patel, and Meet Patel, all part-owners, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance involving psilocybin under one ounce.
Search warrants were also executed at Smoke & Deli in Boonton, which resulted in a written warning being issued for a first offense of offering for sale less than one ounce of marijuana. No charges were filed against that business.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said, “I acknowledge and thank all the agencies who participated in this investigation to disrupt and dismantle the illegal sale of marijuana, intoxicating hemp, and illegal flavored vapes from these businesses operating in our communities. The scale of the operation could not have been accomplished without the professional men and women involved, including detectives, assistant prosecutors, and civilians, who worked collaboratively to make this operation a success.”
Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, past president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “This operation represents months of coordinated work between county and municipal law enforcement, health officials, and prosecutors to address a problem that has been hiding in plain sight in our neighborhoods. Smoke shops that sell unlicensed marijuana, intoxicating hemp products, and illegally flavored vapes are not harmless corner stores — they are unregulated points of sale for products that our laws were specifically designed to control, whether because of their appeal to young people, their lack of any safety testing, or their connection to untaxed and unlicensed markets.”
Collingswood Police Chief Kevin Carey, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “The volume of contraband recovered on July 1 — tens of thousands of vape products, hundreds of pounds of edibles and marijuana, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash — makes clear that this was not a handful of isolated infractions. It was a pattern of businesses operating outside the licensing and public health framework that New Jersey has put in place for cannabis and hemp products, and profiting from it. I want to be clear that this is not the end of this work. Police chiefs across New Jersey will keep working with our municipal partners to identify and act on businesses that put profit ahead of the safety of our residents and children.”
The prosecution of the defendants will be handled by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan and Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Kelly.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
EAST HANOVER — Novartis has filed a series of Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices in 2026 affecting its East Hanover operations, with a combined total of 572 employees impacted across four separate filings.
According to state WARN notice records, the filings include:
The federal WARN Act generally requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days’ advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs. New Jersey’s state WARN Act imposes additional requirements, including mandatory severance pay in certain circumstances.
The reasons behind the layoffs and whether the positions affected are being relocated, eliminated, or restructured were not detailed in the notices.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Randolph Recreation Department, in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Township, will close out the 50th Annual Freedom Festival with one final night on Saturday, July 11, at County College of Morris, Lot 1, 214 Center Grove Road.
The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, July 12.
Now in its 50th year, the Freedom Festival remains one of Morris County’s most anticipated summer traditions, drawing families from across the region for multiple evenings of entertainment, food, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, beer, and live entertainment, with something for all ages.
Live music on the festival’s closing night will be provided by DJ Nick & The Jerseytones. The weekend will culminate with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m., marking both Independence Day and the festival’s 50-year legacy.
Organizers said the event brings the community together while supporting local initiatives through Kiwanis, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities.
Residents are encouraged to come out for the final night of this golden anniversary celebration.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — A Morristown woman was arrested after police said she assaulted a QuickChek employee while attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise.
According to police, officers responded June 12 to the QuickChek at 2 South Jefferson Road in Hanover Township on a report of an irate customer who had assaulted an employee.
Police said employees reported that a woman attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise. When confronted, she allegedly became irate and threw a large cup of ice at an employee, causing a cut to the employee’s lip and a scratch to the face.
The suspect then left the store as a passenger in a vehicle, police said.
Investigators determined the suspect was a frequent customer and was wearing a shirt identifying her employer. Officers responded to her workplace but learned she had left work shortly after the incident.
Police identified the suspect as Amya Washington, 22, of Morristown. With assistance from the Morristown Police Department, officers responded to her residence, where she was arrested and transported to Hanover Township police headquarters.
Washington was charged with:
She was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
MORRIS COUNTY — A Rockaway man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 East on Wednesday, July 8, according to the Denville Police Department.
Officers conducted the stop at approximately 9:23 p.m. after observing multiple violations. During the stop, the driver was identified as Ronald S. Brooks, 56, of Rockaway. Officers determined that Brooks was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and placed him under arrest, transporting him to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.
Following processing, Brooks was issued the following motor vehicle summonses:
Brooks was also charged criminally with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and faces a mandatory court appearance at Morris County Superior Court.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
MORRIS COUNTY — A Flanders man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a Denville police unit observed his vehicle failing to proceed through a green light early Thursday, July 9, according to the Denville Police Department.
At approximately 1:43 a.m., after a full light cycle had passed, a patrol officer made contact with the driver, later identified as Gilberto Castillo, 49, of Flanders, and asked him to exit the vehicle. During the investigation, Castillo displayed signs of intoxication and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor or drugs.
Castillo was transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing and released on his own recognizance pending a future court appearance in Denville Township Municipal Court. Before his release, he was issued the following motor vehicle summonses:
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
BOONTON — A Townsend, Massachusetts, man was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with two armed bank robberies, including one at a Chase Bank in Boonton, as part of a federal initiative targeting violent crime.
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Concord, New Hampshire, Joseph Sawyer robbed St. Mary’s Bank at 4 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Friday, June 12, and the Chase Bank at 530 Myrtle Avenue in Boonton on Saturday, June 27. During both robberies, the complaint alleges Sawyer brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun and ordered those inside the banks to get on the ground and surrender their cell phones.
The arrest was made as part of Operation Summer Heat 2.0, an FBI initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. Sawyer was arrested by the FBI Albany Division’s SWAT team after the FBI’s Boston Division developed information indicating he may be in upstate New York.
The FBI credited the Nashua Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI New Jersey for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Patrol Officer Carlos Najera arrested Donald Rolandelli, 36, formerly of Whippany, on Friday, June 12, on an active National Crime Information Center no-bail warrant issued by the Morris County Superior Court.
According to police, Patrol Officer Najera was on patrol when he observed Rolandelli at Black Brook Park and stopped to check on his well-being. Rolandelli was uncooperative, and a records check revealed he was wanted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Rolandelli was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was then lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a court date.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Detective Erick Magley charged Dhanae Williams, 19, of Irvington, with shoplifting on Monday, June 1, after she allegedly walked out of Shoprite on two occasions in April without paying for $512.94 worth of merchandise.
According to police, loss prevention personnel notified Detective Magley of the incidents and provided a photograph of the unknown female suspect. Detective Magley began an investigation and positively identified the woman as Williams, who was employed at another business within the same complex.
Detective Magley attempted to arrest Williams, but she had since been terminated from her employer. He prepared a complaint summons and mailed it to her residence along with a court date.
Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
Contact us: [email protected]
© 2024 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.
