Essex County sheriff’s detectives took an adult Newark resident and his two alleged accomplices, including a high school student, into custody Tuesday afternoon after a bust allegedly caught the suspects with weapons and drug charges.
The department’s Bureau of Narcotics responded to the intersection of Chapel Street and Riverview Court in Newark’s East Ward after residents complained of continued drug activity.
Upon arrival, detectives observed three suspects, later identified as Mr. Hakeen Eley, 24, Mr. Rashon Napier, 19, a high school student, and Mr. Jeremy Jones, 22, all of Newark, loitering in the area near Eley’s parked 2005 Kia Optima sedan.
Authorities say two males approached Jones and after a brief conversation they were directed to Eley and Napier who allegedly exchanged items with the two men for cash.
Upon conclusion of the transactions, authorities said detectives moved in to investigate further where they found Eley and Napier to be in possession of 21 heroin-filled envelops, stamped “007” in red ink, and $122 in cash while Jones was found to be in possession of 9 vials of ‘crack’ cocaine and a 40 caliber, Eibar Ultra Star semi-automatic handgun, loaded with illegal hollow-point bullets.
A canvass of the area proved negative for the suspected buyers.
Authorities charged all three suspects with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of the Terrell public housing complex.
Authorities say the men were charged with conspiracy to violate New Jersey’s narcotics laws.
Officials also charged Jones with possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm while committing a narcotics crime and possession of hollow-point bullets.
According to authorities, Eley, Jones, and Napier were lodged at the county jail where they await a bail hearing.
IMAGE 1-Jones IMAGE 2-Napier