Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose have announced that detectives seized large quantities of narcotics and numerous firearms during raids in Newark on Friday.
Detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, have been conducting an investigation into reports of narcotics distribution at apartments at 37 Winans Avenue and 22 Seymour Avenue.
As a result of this investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for both locations. Task Force detectives, with assistance from the Newark Police Emergency Response Team, executed the warrants simultaneously on Friday morning.
Police say at 37 Winans Avenue, detectives seized more than 1000 grams of marijuana, which has a street value of more than $10,000 and an assault firearm. Detectives also recovered more than $8,000 in US currency from the apartment. During this raid, detectives arrested Dwight Shelton, 30, of Newark. Shelton has been charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, possession of an assault firearm and possession of a firearm while committing a narcotics offense.
Police say at 22 Seymour Avenue, detectives seized approximately 2700 grams of heroin, worth more than $500,000, approximately 1900 grams of cocaine, worth approximately $85,000 and more than 2000 grams of marijuana, worth approximately $23,000. Detectives also seized more than 200 opioid pain pills, worth more than $4000.
During the raid, detectives also located and seized an assault rifle and three handguns.
Detectives arrested two individuals during the raid on Seymour Avenue. Akeam Johnson, age 33, and Orville Powell, both of Newark have been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with the intent to distribute, possession with the intent to distribute within a 1000 feet of a school and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property.
Powell and Johnson are also charged with possession of an assault firearm, possession of a firearm during a narcotics offense and possession ofan extended magazine.
Shelton, Johnson and Powell have all been lodged in the Essex County Correctional Facility pending appearances in the Essex County Central Judicial Processing Court.
Acting Prosecutor Stephens praised the work of the detectives and assistant prosecutors involved in this investigation and noted that this case is an example of successful collaboration of different law enforcement agencies working together. Public Safety Director Ambrose also commended the work of the Newark and prosecutor's detectives. Ambrose added that the agencies will continue to work together to end narcotics trafficking and improve the quality of life for Newark residents.