Two Found Driving With Heroin on Route 23

A Franklin and Wantage man were arrested Thursday after police said they were found with 14 packages of heroin driving on Route 23 at 11:23 a.m.

charged Jack C. Wright, 28, of Franklin, with possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to change his address on his license and failure to maintain a lane. Michael G. Matto, 36, of Wantage, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to police, Wright was driving a 1997 Ford Taurus on the highway, driving erratically and failing to maintain a lane, when police pulled the vehicle over.

Upon investigation, police said Ptl. Jarred Schmiedhauser noticed several empty glassine packets, which police said are commonly used to package heroin, across the floorboards of the vehicle. Police then investigated Matto, who was allegedly found to be in possession of 14 packages of heroin.

Both were arrested and transported to the police station.

Wright was released in his own recognizance with a ticket to appear in court at a later date. Matto’s bail was set at $10,000 with a 10 percent option. Police said he was able to post bail and was released with a ticket to appear in Morris County Superior Court.

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