Two suspects were arraigned today on drug and weapons charges following their arrests on Tuesday by Essex County sheriff’s detectives.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that detectives from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting plainclothes quality of life operations late yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of Weequahic Park when they observed a male, later identified as Sharif “Sean” Vines, 22 of Newark, loitering in front of the Alexca Deli, located at 525 Elizabeth Avenue.
“Vines was soon approached by a female passerby and, following a brief conversation, exchanged items from his waistband for cash,” Sheriff Fontoura said. “Our BON team, believing they had witnessed a narcotics transaction, moved in to further investigate and found Vines to be in possession of 23 clear glass vials of ‘crack’ cocaine.”
As Vines was being placed under arrest, the sheriff’s detectives watched as Johnathan Smith, 19 of Newark, remove his jacket and attempt to secrete it under a nearby wrought iron fence.
“When our BON detectives walked over to question Smith about his actions they could clearly see the handle of a gun protruding from the jacket’s pocket,” Fontoura added. “A fully loaded, .38 caliber Ruger revolver was seized and Smith was placed under arrest. It is not known at this time if there a connection between Vines and Smith.”
A canvass of the area for the female passerby resulted in negative results.
Vines was charged 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 Team Charter School and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of Weequahic Park.
Vines was also found to be wanted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office on drug charges and was found to be the subject of an open warrant issued by the Newark municipal court.
Smith was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon.
At today’s arraignments, bail was set on Vines at $50,000 cash bond only and on Smith at $100,000.
Both suspects were lodged at the Essex County jail.