Parolee arrested in drug probe

FRANKLIN — Police allege a borough man has been selling heroin in and around Franklin after an investigation into narcotics distribution.
Mark Forlenza, 48, formerly of Newark was charged on Oct. 17 with multiple counts of possession of heroin and distirbution of heroin and suboxone both within 1,000 feet of a school, specifically, Franklin Elementary School. Police said Forlenza also was found to be in possession of methadone when he was arrested
Following the execution of a search warrant on at 6 a.m., at Forlenza’s residence, he Forlenza is alleged to have been in possession of an undisclosed amount of heroin and suboxone ready and packaged for sale. Forlenza was also alleged to be in possession of methadone. An undisclosed amount of money is believed to be drug proceeds and a vehicle were seized during the investigation, police said.
Forlenza was previously arrested on Jan. 17, 2017 after an investigation into narcotics distribution in Franklin. At the time of his arrest he was found in his home with 1,600 bags of heroin, the same residence he was arrested at on Oct. 17.
Forlenza pleaded guilty on March 27 to second-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and a violation of probation. At that time Forlenza was sentenced to six years in state prison. He was given credit for 373 served in the county jail and was ordered to pay $2,205 in fines and fees.
Forlenza had been released from state prison and was currently participating in the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP). Special parole programs provide alternative, intermediate forms of community-based correctional supervision, allowing some offenders to serve sentences outside the traditional prison settings. While participating in this program he was found to be selling narcotics from his home.
Investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may follow.