Paterson Man Charged With Drug And Weapons Offenses

30-Year-Old Paterson Man Charged Narcotics And Possession Of Weapons 

Sunday, May 5, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. By George Petruska: Englebrook Independent News,

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ.- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella reported, that following a months-long investigation, on Friday, May 3, 2024, Tristan Colquhoun, 30, of Paterson, New Jersey was taken into custody and charged in connection with the death of a man that occurred in Suffern, New York on February 16, 2024.

     According to authorities, on Friday, May 3, 2024, shortly after 3:30 p.m., members of the Suffern Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting an unresponsive man in the bedroom of a Suffern, New York residence. Upon arrival, Police Officers found Matthew Andreas, 39, of Suffern in an upstairs bedroom unresponsive from an apparent drug overdose. Despite life-saving efforts, Mr. Andreas succumbed to a fatal overdose and died.

     A subsequent autopsy determined that Mr. Andreas died from acute fentanyl poisoning and uncovered that the drug activity occurred in the Bergen County area. Following the determination, the Bergen County Narcotics Task Force was contacted by Detectives of the Suffern, New York Police Department with their findings and the death of Mr. Andreas. 

     A months-long investigation was launched by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Suffern Police Department into the death of Mr. Andreas and related drug activity. At the conclusion of the investigation, Detectives determined that Mr. Colquhoun sold the fentanyl-laced narcotics in Bergen County to Mr. Andreas which ultimately resulted in his death.

     On Friday, May 3, 2024, following a court-authorized on the Paterson, New Jersey residence of Mr. Colquhoun, at which time Detectives found narcotics evidence including suspected fentanyl, additionally, Detectives located two handguns including one that had been reported stolen. Following the search, Mr, Colquhoun was taken into custody without incident.

     Accordingly, Colquhoun was formally charged with second-degree Possession of a Firearm While Attempting or Conspiring to Commit a Narcotics Offense; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; third-degree Possession of Stolen Property Belonging to Another; third-degree Distribution of Fentanyl; third-degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Alprazolam; third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; and fourth-degree Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine.

     Mr. Colquhoun was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending future court proceedings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey. The investigation into the fatal overdose of Mr. Andreas remains active and ongoing and additional charges are possible.

"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt."

FILED UNDER: MAY 5, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, BERGEN: