08/25/2026
Press Release: DWI/Narcotics Arrest During Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement
On Monday, August 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., as part of a high visibility enforcement initiative for the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, Bloomingdale Police Sergeant Sami Zeidan observed a Dodge minivan traveling at a highly excessive speed.
As Sergeant Zeidan began following the vehicle, he observed smoke coming from the hood area and noted that the vehicle was having difficulty maintaining its lane. A motor vehicle stop was subsequently conducted.
Sergeant Zeidan made contact with the driver, identified as Edwin Mejia, 28, of Passaic, New Jersey, who had numerous occupants inside the vehicle, including a juvenile.
While speaking with Mejia, Sergeant Zeidan detected the odor of alcohol and cannabis. Mejia was questioned regarding his alcohol consumption and stated that he had not consumed alcohol because he was currently required to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device, which would prevent the vehicle from operating if alcohol was detected.
During the investigation, Mejia continued to exhibit signs consistent with alcohol and narcotics impairment. He was removed from the vehicle and asked to perform standardized field sobriety testing. Mejia was unable to properly perform the testing and was subsequently placed under arrest.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of alcohol containers, cannabis, a large quantity of unprescribed oxycodone packaged in a manner consistent with distribution, and additional drug packaging materials.
The investigation further determined that a sober passenger had provided the breath sample to the vehicle’s ignition interlock device, allowing the vehicle to start. The passenger was not the person required to provide the sample.
The occupants of the vehicle were released to a responsible adult, while Mejia was transported to Bloomingdale Police Headquarters.
At headquarters, Mejia refused to provide breath samples. He was subsequently charged with numerous motor vehicle and criminal offenses, including Driving While Intoxicated, circumventing an ignition interlock device, Refusal to submit breath sample, Driving While Intoxicated with a minor passenger, possession of open alcohol and cannabis containers, possession of narcotics, and possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.
Mejia was later turned over to the custody of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office HUB for commitment.
Sergeant Zeidan was assisted during the investigation by Sergeant Fatzer, Patrolman Hennessy, and members of the Riverdale Police Department.
The charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Issued by: Sergeant Sami Zeidan- PIO
