Following a series of drug raids along the 100 block of Elizabeth Avenue, Essex County sheriff’s detectives culminated their investigation with three arrests and the seizure of two handguns and a variety of narcotics.
According to authorities, three search warrants were executed simultaneously on Thursday evening in response to multiple complaints of drug trafficking in the area.
Officers from the Bureau of Narcotics and Tactical Response Team arrested Raheem Johnson, 39, at his residence located on the 100 block of Elizabeth Avenue, after authorities seized a loaded, .38 caliber Rossi revolver along with six bags of marijuana.
A search warrant was also executed at a second home on the 100 block of Elizabeth Avenue but the suspect, Khalil Simpson, 27, was not on the premises.
Officials there recovered 53 plastic jugs of ‘crack’ cocaine that were hidden in a shoe along with an assortment of drug packaging paraphernalia.
A third raid on the same block resulted in the arrest of Karon Sledge, 27, and a 16-year-old male juvenile. Detectives at that location seized ten heroin-filled envelopes, 5 oxycodone tablets, 28 Xanax pills, a fully loaded, 9mm, Glock semi-automatic handgun, drug paraphernalia and $746 in drug proceeds.
Authorities charged Johnson with possession of CDS and the possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Simpson was charged with possession of CDS with intent to distribute. Simpson’s name was also entered into NCIC as a wanted person.
Officials say Sledge and the juvenile were each charged with four counts of possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Malcolm X Shabazz High School and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing complex. The duo were also charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy to violate New Jersey’s narcotics laws. They were lodged at the county jail where they await bail hearings.
The juvenile was remanded to the Essex County Youth Detention Facility where he awaits an appearance in Family Court.