PASSAIC, N.J. — A Paterson man wanted for operating a large-scale heroin packaging operation in Clifton ducked State Police for two months before they tracked him down, authorities said.

Detectives who'd been investigating him for several weeks tried to stop Edwin Acosta, 35, on westbound Route 80 in Paterson in November after he drove off from the Christie Avenue apartment where the heroin was being packaged, State Police said.

But Acost gunned the accelerator and sped off, they said, adding that troopers dropped back off out of safety concerns.

Armed with a search warrant, members of the NJSP Trafficking North Unit raided the apartment with colleagues from the DEA and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area unit -- seizing nearly five pounds of heroin, an ounce and a half of Fentanyl and 6,750 decks of packaged heroin, State Police said.

The seized drugs had an estimated street value of $239,400, they said.

State Police found and arrested Acosta without incident in a Meade Avenue basement apartment in Passaic on Jan. 9.

They charged him with various counts of possessing drugs, maintaining a drug operation, conspiracy and eluding, among other offenses.

Acosta remained held in Passaic County Jail pending further court action following a detention hearing.

Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.