Trooper James Agens had two major busts in Warren County totaling $6.7 million in drugs.
In May, New Jersey State Trooper James "Bucky" Agens found a truck hauling 15 kilograms of heroin in Warren County.
That was nothing compared to what he found in August: A tractor trailer at the Interstate 78 weigh station had 64 kilograms of heroin and 10 of cocaine -- making it the largest cold-stop heroin seizure to date in U.S. history, according to state police.
In all, Agens got $6.7 million worth of drugs off the street, earning him the title of 2016 Trooper of the Year.
Agens, a former Hope Township resident who attended Belvidere High School and still lives in Warren County, was a member of the Hope Volunteer Fire Department and was always an active member of community events in the township, according to a news release from the township.
"I have known Bucky since his days at Hope School and have watched him grow up along with his brother, Trooper Mike Agens," Mayor Timothy McDonough said. "Bucky was always ready and willing to help and participate in community wide events. We are all so proud of him."
State police, in an announcement Wednesday on Facebook, said that James Agens distinguished himself in the state police effort to stop the transport of heroin through New Jersey.
AG: Man indicted for hauling $2.8M in heroin
His first stop, yielding the 15 kilos, happened May 15, police said. The second on Aug. 23, was at the I-78 weigh station in Greenwich Township.
That was the third of three major busts at the weigh station in less than a month.
On Aug. 11, a shipment of marijuana worth $324,000 was uncovered. The second was Aug. 14, yielding 36 kilograms of heroin worth an estimated $2.8 million.
All of the accused truckers were from California. At least one of them has been indicted.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.