Hightstown Police K9 Sniffs Out Drugs, Money During Raid

A Hightstown drug raid turned up a large quantity of marijuana, money and materials for distribution and manufacturing on Thursday, according to police. 

Responding to complaints from citizens and after conducting a month long investigation, Hightstown and Cranbury police executed a search warrant on the 100 block of Broad Street around 4 p.m., police said. The Hightstown police K9, Niko, sniffed out a stash of cash and drugs that was hidden in the house.

“I want to thank those residents who take the initiative to contact us with their concerns and suspicions,” Hightstown Police Director James Le Tellier said in an email Thursday. “The public plays a very important function in Community Policing.”

There was between 50 ounces and a pound of marijuana found, but the exact weight won’t be known until it comes back from the lab, Le Tellier said. Police did not release the amount of cash seized. 

Paraphernalia used to distribute drugs and manufacturing materials was also found in the house, police said.

“It is the policy of the Hightstown Police Department that public safety is paramount. Tonight [Thursday] is the beginning of our ‘Zero Tolerance Policy for Drug Distribution.’ We will aggressively enforce the law to protect our residents and to especially protect our children from this danger.” Le Tellier said.

Eric A. Carrubba, 27, and Jessica Rosado, 24, live in the house together with their daughter who is around three or four years old, Le Tellier said. Both Carrubba and Rosado were charged, and the child is with relatives.

Carrubba was charged with possession of marijuana over fifty grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, distribution of marijuana, distribution of marijuana within a school zone, distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a park, distribution of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and endangering the welfare of a child. Carrubba was released after posting $10,000 bail, police said.

Rosado was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child. Bail was set at $2,500 with a 10 percent option, which Rosado paid.

“I must also commend the officers of Hightstown’s and Cranbury’s Police Departments for the level of professionalism, and concern for public safety they displayed while executing the search warrant,” Le Tellier said.