Morris Prosecutor: Two California Men Seized in Netcong with Drug Haul in Tractor Trailer

Published on September 20, 2018

Police Seize Heroin and Cocaine with Street Value of more than $1 Million and More than $100,000 in Currency

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr., and Netcong Police Chief James Blesson announce the arrest of two drug traffickers and the seizure of approximately 10 kilograms of suspected heroin, 10 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and $103,180 in U.S. currency.

(JPG, 8KB)On Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, a Netcong patrol officer conducted a stop of a tractor-trailer for a motor vehicle violation that occurred on Main Street in Netcong Borough. After the officer was presented with multiple false names by the truck driver, police developed probable cause that the occupants of the truck likely were transporting illegal narcotics.

A search of the trailer revealed a bulk quantity of heroin (approximately 10 kilograms) and a bulk quantity of cocaine (approximately 10 kilograms) hidden among a cargo shipment of onions in the trailer. Police also located $103,180 in cash believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking in the tractor.

The total street value of the seized narcotics is in excess of $1 millions.Morris County Prosecutor's logo

Arrested and charged were two California men: Vantwuan D. Williams, 44 of Victorville, and Earl Haggens, 57 of Los Angeles

Williams, who was the driver of the tractor trailer, was charged with the following:

  • First-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (heroin) with the intent to distribute;
  • First-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine) with the intent to distribute;
  • Second-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, by transporting over $75,000 of United State currency believed to be derived from criminal activity;
  • Third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (heroin);
  • Third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine); and
  • Disorderly Persons Hindering Apprehension by giving a false name to law enforcement

Williams was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on the arrest warrant pending a court hearing.

Haggens, who was the passenger in the truck, was charged with the following:

  • First-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (heroin) with the intent to distribute;
  • First-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine) with the intent to distribute;
  • Second-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity by transporting over $75,000 of United State currency believed to be derived from criminal activity;
  • Third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (heroin); and
  • Third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine).

Haggens was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on the arrest warrant pending a court hearing.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp stated: Police successfully interdicted a significant quantity of drugs with this investigation. This seizure literally amounts to removing thousands of potential lethal doses of poison from our community.

Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the efforts of the Netcong Police officer who commenced the investigation and the entire Netcong Borough Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force), and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit, which assisted at the scene.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.

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