A routine traffic stop Monday evening by Essex County sheriff’s detectives resulted in the seizure of $100,000 in cocaine and the arrest of a Newark man.
According to authorities, officers from the Bureau of Narcotics were conducting routine quality of life operations in the city yesterday when they observed a double-parked 2015 Chevrolet Suburban with New York license plates obstructing traffic at 171 Peshine Avenue.
Officials say detectives pulled up behind the SUV and activated lights and siren but the vehicle did not move. As the officers approached the vehicle, later found to be an Uber taxi, all four windows rolled down simultaneously.
According to police, the back seat passenger, Dawan Brown, 33, was seen attempting to hide a backpack under the front seat of the vehicle. One of the items concealed in the backpack, a clear plastic bag, filled with a white powdery substance, spilled onto the floor of the car.
Police removed Brown from the car and placed him under arrest. 18 additional plastic bags, totaling two kilos of cocaine, were also seized.
Authorities charged him with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of the Belmont Runyon School and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing complex. Brown was lodged at the county jail where he awaits a bail hearing.
Officials say the Uber driver was found to be uninvolved in a narcotics conspiracy. He was issued a motor vehicle summons for double parking and released.