A suspected drug dealer was arrested this morning by Essex County sheriff’s detectives on weapons and narcotics charges.
Officials say as part of on-going investigations into open-air drug trafficking in Newark’s North Ward, the department’s Bureau of Narcotics staged an undercover surveillance operation at the intersection of Delavan Avenue and Broadway on Wednesday, October 30th.
At this location, Quinton McKie, 25 of Newark, was observed loitering in the area. He was soon approached by Rhonda Sheffield, 55, also of Newark according to police.
Police say after a brief conversation, McKie walked over to his parked 2017 Nissan Versa and removed an item from the car which he exchanged with Sheffield for cash. Detectives followed Sheffield from the scene and found him in possession of one vial of ‘crack’ cocaine. She was placed under arrest.
According to authorities, back at the scene, officers then announced their presence and detained McKie as his vehicle was searched. Inside the car, detectives discovered a fully loaded, .45 caliber, Tanfoglio semi-automatic handgun, an additional 27 vials of ‘crack’ cocaine, and plastic bottles, containing 161 Xanax tablets.
The suspect was also in possession of $76 in alleged drug proceeds. The street value of the narcotics is approximately $4,000.
Officials charged McKie with the sale and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts each of possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Broadway Elementary School.
Police say McKie was also charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS crime and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Sheffield was issued a summons for possession of CDS and released in her own recognizance. She will be arraigned at a later date.