MARCH 1, 2001
Trenton,
NJ — A Lawrence man was arrested yesterday on various drug offenses by the
Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto
announced.
Michael
Bentivogli, 25, of the 500 block of Lawrence Road (West Gate Apartments) in
Lawrence, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous
substance, possession with the intent to distribute, possession with the intent
to distribute within 1000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The
task force, led by Lt. Al Paglione and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special
Investigations Unit, executed a search warrant at Bentivogli’s residence last
night at 7:30 p.m. The defendant
was found inside with a pound and a half of marijuana, packaged for sale in
quarter- and half-ounces. A digital
scale and miscellaneous packaging materials were also seized. Lawrence and West Windsor police along with the Mercer County
Sheriff’s Department assisted in the search.
Bentivogli
was lodged last night in the Mercer County Corrections Center in lieu of $7,500
bail.
Lt.
Paglione stated that this is the fourth search warrant executed in Notre Dame
High School’s backyard over the past 12 months.
He also said that there have been multiple arrests and major seizures of
ecstasy and other drugs at the 7-11 on Lawrence Road, which is only a couple
blocks away.
“This
investigation once again demonstrates the presence of drugs encircling our
suburban schools,” said Prosecutor Giaquinto.
“This is not a problem confined to urban areas.”