Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said today that three individuals have been arrested and charged with running a street-level drug sales operation that netted thousands of dollars annually.
The three were arrested and charged on September 15, 2016, following an intensive investigation that began in April 2016.
The defendants have been identified as: Jamie Monroe, 38, and Nissa Dennington, 45, both of South Brunswick, and Dorian Graham, 30, of South River.
They were charged after detectives recovered large quantities of heroin and drug paraphernalia, six handguns and a bulletproof vest. The street value of the drugs seized was more than $20,000.
“In order to address the current heroin epidemic in New Jersey, we must take a two-pronged approach,” Prosecutor Carey said.
“First, we have a duty to provide education and comprehensive treatment to those vulnerable to addiction,” Prosecutor Carey said.
“In addition, it imperative that law enforcement continue to investigate and prosecute vigorously those who profit from the addictions of others, and who are responsible for the violence associated with the illegal drug trade. Those who use illegal firearms to make a living selling this poison simply do not care that our citizens are dying,” Prosecutor Carey said.
All three defendants were charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute it and possession of a firearm while distributing heroin.
In addition, Monroe was charged with receiving stolen property, which was identified as two of the handguns that were seized during his arrest.
Graham also was charged with a count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute it in a school zone.
Monroe and Graham also were charged as certain persons who are prohibited from possessing weapons due to prior, unrelated criminal convictions.
Bail on Monroe and Graham was set at $250,000 each. They were being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick.
Dennington was released from custody after posting $25,000 bail.