Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose commended the efforts of members of the 5th Precinct who arrested eight suspects for narcotic-related offenses, confiscated 379 decks of heroin, 59 vials of cocaine and nearly $3,000 in cash during a 4-day period between March 6th and March 10th.
Director Ambrose explained that the officers were assigned investigations by the 5th Precinct’s captain in response to citizen complaints about narcotic activities at specific locations.
On March 6th officers arrested three suspects, Richard Best, 33, Olga Camacho, 26, and Michael Horton, 52, after officers interrupted a drug transaction between the trio on Brunswick Street.
Best and Camacho were charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute, possession within 1,000-ft. of a school and conspiracy.
Horton, who was buying the drugs, was charged with possession of heroin.
A total of $1,698 was confiscated as proceeds of the drug transaction along with 98 decks of heroin.
The officers arrested Jerome Hines, 45, of Newark, on March 8th after being found in possession of 74 decks of heroin on Ridgewood Avenue.
After officers observed Hines with the drugs in his hand, Hines fled and was apprehended after a brief foot chase.
Hines was charged with possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension.
Two suspects were arrested in the 200-block of Irvine Turner Boulevard for narcotics-related offenses after police intervened during a drug transaction between Tyron Clark, 25, and Keith Finney, 54. Nearly 200 decks of heroin were confiscated along with 30 vials of cocaine and nearly $600 in cash, which was confiscated as proceeds from the sale of drugs.
Clark was charged with possession of narcotics, possession with the intent to distribute and possession of narcotics within a 1,000-ft. of a school. Finney was charged with possession of heroin.
The officers’ final narcotics arrest occurred on Frelinghuysen Avenue with the arrest of Omar Reeds, 40, and Melvin Chappell, 49, for possession of 29 vials of cocaine, 165 decks of heroin and slightly more than $550 in cash.
They were arrested after a police surveillance revealed their drug distribution activities.
Director Ambrose said, “I am dedicated to taking the necessary steps to address crime and quality of life complaints. These officers responded to citizen complaints and took the necessary actions to address them.
We encourage our citizens to continue reporting crime and quality of life issues so we can take action on their behalf.”
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information about this or any other crime to contact the Department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers’ tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.