Police in Newark announced the arrest of Michael Galarza and Zion Carson, both 18 and both of Newark, for possession of a loaded handgun and CDS in two separate incidents.
Police say at approximately 9:50 p.m. Monday, 3rd Precinct officers patrolling the area of McCarter Highway and South Street conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle observed with an inoperable brake light and an expired inspection sticker.
While speaking to the driver, the officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed the backseat passenger, Michael Galarza, in possession of a handgun according to police.
Authorities say upon becoming aware of the officer’s observation, Galarza fled the vehicle.
Police immediately apprehended and found Galarza in possession of a loaded handgun, 13 bags of marijuana and 13 bags of cocaine.
Officers charged Galarza with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Resisting Arrest and two counts of CDS Possession (marijuana and cocaine).
In a separate incident, at approximately 3 a.m. today -Tuesday-, officers of the Violence Reduction Task Force patrolling the area of Avon and Chadwick avenues observed a 2005 black Honda Civic with a broken headlight.
After conducting a motor vehicle stop, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana and observed a handgun inside the vehicle along with suspected CDS.
Police arrested Zion Carson after they say they found him in possession of a loaded .380 automatic handgun, 22 plastic baggies of marijuana, 26 decks of heroin and 24 vials of cocaine.
Police say Carson was also in possession of $502.00.
Officers charged Carson with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, three counts of CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute, three counts of CDS Possession within 1,000-ft. of a School and Possession of a Handgun while Committing a CDS Offense.
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.