An investigation launched by area police resulted in a major heroin bust yielding the seizure of 85 bags of the drug on Monday.

Joshua Hart, 23, of Church Street in the Belford section of Middletown was arrested on July 12 after Middletown police found him in the Belford section of the Henry Hudson Trail allegedly in possession of the 85 bags of heroin, police said in a released statement.

Upon his arrest, Hart was charged with: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and loitering with the intent to use CDS (controlled dangerous substance), police said.

The Middletown Police Department has recently beefed up patrols on foot and using all-terrain vehicles on the community trail.

Hart’s arrest was a result of the increased patrols and an investigation conducted by Detective Keith Hirschbein, Patrolman Gregory Buhowski and Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia, the release said.