By: Richard L. Smith
A two-month-long investigation into cocaine distribution in Trenton concluded this week with the arrests of two individuals and the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately $70,000, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri.
In a statement released by county officials, the operation, led by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force (MCNTF) with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and local police forces from Ewing, Hamilton, and Trenton, culminated on April 29, 2024.
Mercer County Law enforcement officials apprehended Mr. Dayron Vaughn, 48, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, during a motor vehicle stop around 4 p.m. while he was operating a motorcycle on West Hanover Street.
Police said in the statement that Vaughn was found in possession of about 10 grams of powder cocaine.
Subsequently, the Mercer County Tactical Response Team assisted the MCNTF in executing a search warrant at a residence on Edgewood Avenue linked to the distribution network.
Inside the residence, Mercer County detectives discovered a large quantity of cocaine stored in a black safe and a variety of drug paraphernalia in the basement, indicating a drug manufacturing setup.
Mr. Barry Coles, 56, who was present during the search, was detained without incident. Both Vaughn and Coles face multiple first-degree narcotics charges, including operating a drug manufacturing facility.
They have been placed in the Mercer County Correction Center, with the prosecutor’s office filing motions to detain both pending trial. In total, 700 grams of cocaine were recovered from the residence involved.