The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives – Trenton Field Office, and the New Jersey State Police, Crime Suppression Central, recently concluded a six-week joint investigation into narcotics and weapons in Mercer County, Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, the investigation was initiated after detectives identified a heroin distribution network being operated by Santeeno Grant of Trenton.
Officials said that during the course of the operation, detectives conducted several undercover purchases of heroin, totaling 1,650 decks. On May 31st, detectives executed search warrants for Grant, his Elm Street residence, and two vehicles. Prior to the search warrant execution, Grant was observed driving a black 2006 Chevrolet Impala back and forth from his residence.
While in the area of Home Avenue, officers observed him retrieve a black plastic bag from a 2006 silver Volkswagen Beetle and return to his Impala. He drove the Impala to the area of Broad and Stanton streets where he parked it prior to detectives detaining him. A search of Grant’s person revealed $3,597 in cash.
During a search of the black Impala, detectives recovered the same black bag Grant retrieved from the Volkswagen. It contained approximately 19 bricks of heroin. Officers also located another small quantity of heroin, a California driver’s license for Grant, a defaced Taurus 9mm handgun and a .380 Bersa handgun in the vehicle. Both handguns were loaded.
According to authorities, officers discovered approximately 73 bricks of heroin in a shoebox on the passenger seat of the Volkswagen Beetle. A search of Grant’s Elm Street residence revealed approximately 10 bundles of heroin, 21 clonazepam pills, .9mm rounds, .380 rounds, a shotgun, a M1 assault rifle, two plastic bags containing marijuana, a scale and $2,297 in cash.
Police ultimately charged Grant, 29, with numerous second-degree drug and weapons offenses.
The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him. At the time Grant was detained, he was driving with two other individuals. Markese Phillips, 40, of Trenton, was also arrested and charged with numerous second- and third-degree drug offenses. A search of Phillips’ Mercury Cougar revealed approximately 130 bricks of heroin, 15 grams of cocaine and $638 in cash. He was released pending future court proceedings. The third individual was not charged.
Prosecutor Onofri said in total 228 bricks of heroin were seized, valued at approximately $45,600 on the street. The Chevrolet Impala and the Volkswagen Beetle were seized as drug proceeds.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives – Trenton Field Office, the New Jersey State Police, Crime Suppression Central, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, and the Hamilton, Princeton and Trenton police, under the command of the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.