A Middletown NJ man was allegedly found in possession of a handgun, cocaine, and heroin on a Newark NJ street during a drug bust by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Essex County authorities, the 49-year-old suspect was observed by police officers as he sold illegal drugs on a street corner.
The illegal drug activity was seen near the intersection of Davenport Avenue and North 11th Street in Newark, New Jersey. Members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a drug bust when they spotted the suspect.
While searching the suspect, police officers allegedly found him in possession of large quantities of cocaine and heroin. Police also allegedly found him carrying a .25-caliber handgun.
The suspect has been charged with numerous criminal offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon, a certain persons offense for being a felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon while committing a narcotics crime, cocaine possession, and heroin possession.
If the suspect is convicted on the illegal handgun possession charges, he faces severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), a person who is found in possession of a handgun without a valid carry permit or license can be charged with a second degree felony. A conviction for second degree illegal possession of a handgun could result in a sentence of 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
After being arrested and processed, the suspect was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ. He was being held at the jail in lieu of a $75K bail amount.
To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Delaware Man Arrested in Newark Drug Bust.”
