As a result of an arrest of two male suspects by Essex County sheriff's detectives, officials said a loaded handgun with illegal hollow point bullets and heroin was seized early this afternoon.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department's Bureau of Narcotics today conducted a surveillance operation at the busy commercial intersection of Broadway and Crane Street in the city's North Ward.
Mr. Michael Tucker, 31, and Mr. David Nowell, 27, both of Newark, were observed loitering in the area.
"Tucker was seen to adjust a bulging object in his waistband on multiple occasions," Sheriff Fontoura noted.
"He was soon observed in a hand-to-hand exchange of items from his fanny pack for cash with a male passerby."
Believing they had witnessed a drug sale, officials said Essex ‘BON’ detectives moved in to investigate further.
Fontoura said Tucker attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended.
"His fanny pack contained at fully loaded, 38 calibers, Smith and Wesson revolver and four decks of heroin stamped 'KISS' in red ink," the sheriff added.
Tucker and, his associate, Nowell, were placed under arrest at the scene.
Tucker and Nowell are each 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 Barringer 9th Grade Academy and conspiracy to violate New Jersey's narcotics laws.
Tucker also faces multiple weapons charges.
Both suspects were remanded to the county jail, where they await hearings on today's charges.