The New Jersey State Police with assistance from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General have arrested Hasan Bacon, 37, and Michael Staine, 38, both of Philadelphia, P.A., and seized several rifles and handguns after recovering a shipment containing over 300 pounds of marijuana.
As the result of an on-going investigation, State Police detectives from the Trafficking South Unit determined that a shipment of marijuana was being delivered to a freight depot in New Jersey from San Jose, C.A. On Tuesday, September 11, troopers arrived at the depot where they discovered two wooden crates containing approximately 300 pounds of marijuana. Troopers later determined that the freight was going to be shipped to Philadelphia, P.A.
Detectives from the Trafficking South Unit with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotic Investigations completed a controlled delivery of the freight where they arrested Bacon and Staine without incident. Further investigation led detectives to another location in Philadelphia where they discovered an additional four pounds of marijuana along with the following weapons:
Mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun
Henry .22 caliber rifle
Remington 1187 12 gauge shotgun
Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle
Weatherby .306 rifle
Glock 43 9mm handgun
Glock 19 9mm handgun
Sig Sauer P229 handgun
Springfield XD .40 caliber handgun
"There is little doubt that the weapons seized in this investigation would be used for violence and intimidation, and they have no place in communities on either side of the Delaware River," said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. "Thanks to the collaboration between the New Jersey State Police Trafficking South Unit and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, the array of illegal weapons seized will never make it into the wrong hands."
“Criminals don't respect municipal boundaries, and it's up to law enforcement agencies to work closely together to make sure suspects can't evade justice by driving across state lines," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “Our Bureau of Narcotics Investigation partnered with the New Jersey State Police in this case to get nine guns out of the hands of criminals as part of their illegal drug operation. I thank Attorney General Grewal for his commitment to work collaboratively to keep our communities safe on both sides of the river."
According to authorities, Hasan Bacon and Michael Staine were charged with distribution of marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm and lodged at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. Staine was held on $500,000 bail, while Bacon was held on $60,000 bail, both with 10 percent option.
The case will be prosecuted by the Philadelphia Office of the District Attorney.
Charges are mere accusations and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.