Big Bad Wolf Makes Halloween Party Drug Bust
Detectives Crash Halloween Party In Costume
POSTED: 11:41 p.m. EST November 2, 2003
LITTLE FERRY, N.J. -- The Big Bad Wolf at one tavern's Halloween gathering really blew the house down when the partygoer turned out to be an undercover police officer.
Authorities say detectives in Halloween costumes crashed a party early Saturday at the Post Office Pub, where police say regulars could buy cocaine almost as easily as they could order drinks.
Hours after the investigators infiltrated the bash at the pub, reinforcements moved in and arrested 18 people.
Those hauled off in handcuffs -- some of them in costume -- included bar owner Steven Vogel, 55, of Fair Lawn, and four of his employees, said Mike Mordaga, chief of detectives for the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities seized roughly 140 small plastic bags of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and some Ecstasy. They also seized about $11,000 in cash -- although Mordaga said the buyers may have paid through credit cards.
"It appears they would add a large tip to the tab, which may have been for the drugs," Mordaga told The Sunday Record of Bergen County.
During the six-month investigation, Mordaga said, undercover officers bought cocaine inside the bar from Vogel and two other suspects, 42-year-old Joseph Mittemiller and employee Michael Norton, 52, both of Little Ferry.
The multiagency unit "thought that Halloween would be a perfect time" to make the busts, Mordaga said. So, hours before the raid, a group of officers donned Halloween costumes and attended the party.
Other officers went dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and the Grim Reaper.
Those arrested were charged with offenses ranging from distribution of cocaine to possession of marijuana. Some were charged with being under the influence of cocaine.
Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This article is not actually informative as to what happened. Steven Vogel and Michael Norton were both found not guilty. Please keep that in mind as you read things like this. Being a cop and "busting" people does not always uncover the truth. Articles like this are slander.
This article is not actually informative as to what happened. Steven Vogel and Michael Norton were both found not guilty. Please keep that in mind as you read things like this. Being a cop and "busting" people does not always uncover the truth. Articles like this are slander.
Interesting blast from the past. I read a lot of stories about interesting busts where I never hear the final outcome, unless it happened in my area. Thanks for the update.
new jersey wrote..."This article is not actually informative as to what happened. Steven Vogel and Michael Norton were both found not guilty. Please keep that in mind as you read things like this. Being a cop and "busting" people does not always uncover the truth. Articles like this are slander.
FYI...I've been asked to lock this thread down...but I need documentation of what actually actually happened after the arrest before I assume anything. Were those arrested proven innocent...or guilty? Can you show us a link or something verifying the outcome?
Thanks in advance New Jersey for your concern about this old thread. BTW...I agree that slander often results when the media only prints one side...and after due process occurs, nothing is reported about their acquittal...or conviction.
Big Bad Wolf Makes Halloween Party Drug Bust 
