Police in Newark announced the arrest of Travon Johnson, 21, AlJabree Hicks, 19, Maud Conway, 59, Maribel Gonzalez, 37, Jermaine Kemp, 18, Terrance Nesbit, 33 and Raheem McCray, 20, all of Newark, for multiple CDS violations, part of the Division’s ongoing narcotics operations.
Police say acting on citizen and business owner complaints of narcotics activity in the area, 6th Precinct officers A. Reddick and M. Maldonado, Unit 699, began covertly watching an abandoned home in the 100 block of Chelsea Avenue said to be a drug den.
According to officials, officers watched as several people approached the home, an unknown male would come to the door and engage in what the officers recognized as CDS transactions.
Upon requesting several other police units to assist, the officers were able to gain entry into the abandoned property. The people inside the home began to flee. They were all caught shortly thereafter and arrested police said.
Police recovered 81 jugs of cocaine, 21 ziplock and 6 sandwich bags of marijuana, 42 envelopes of heroin, 2 ounces of acetaminophen and an assortment of pills and drug paraphernalia. Police also confiscated over $1130.00 dollars in drug proceeds according to police.
“I commend the 6th Precinct officers for actively addressing the issues that become problems in our neighborhoods,” Director Ambrose said. “They work tirelessly every day to arrest individuals who participate in the illicit drug trade and those who commit other crimes in our community.”
McCray, Johnson, Hicks, Kemp, Gonzalez and Conway were charged with four counts each of possession of CDS, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, distributing narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, distributing narcotics within 500 feet of a public park, possession of drug paraphernalia, defiant trespassing and conspiracy; Hicks and Gonzalez were also charged with contempt after they were found to have open bench warrants. Nesbit was also held for contempt on an open bench warrant.
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Director Ambrose urges anyone with information about any crime in the City to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.