By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Monday, June 16, Darryl Murphy, 45, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, first-degree maintaining a CDS production facility, and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Murphy is expected to be sentenced to an aggregate term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with five years of parole ineligibility, ACPO officials say.
According to Atlantic County officials, on August 20, 2024, members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force executed a search warrant for a motel room located in Absecon. Murphy was taken into custody and found to be in possession of the motel room keys.
Inside the motel room, police located over one-half ounce of cocaine, baking soda used to cook crack cocaine, a large glass measuring cup, a knife with cocaine residue on it, a scale, and multiple-sized empty baggies, Atlantic County authorities stated.
ACPO officials said the cocaine and paraphernalia were near a microwave, which is commonly used to cook crack cocaine.
Additionally, HIDTA and members of the Atlantic City Police Department executed a search warrant in Atlantic City, which led to the recovery of a 9mm handgun loaded with an extended magazine of ammunition, ACPO authorities said.
During his guilty plea, Murphy admitted the handgun belonged to him and that he stashed it in the Atlantic City residence, Atlantic County officials say.
This matter was investigated by HIDTA, with assistance from the Atlantic City Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, ACPO officials said. Assistant Prosecutor Chris D’Esposito of the Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit prosecuted the matter on behalf of the State.
Atlantic County officials stated that Murphy was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility at the time of his plea. He was released after his plea on a detainer to return to federal custody, where he faces a violation of supervised release.