Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, Cape May County Sheriff Robert Nolan and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana announce the seizure of approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine and a loaded handgun.
According to authorities, on March 6th, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs Guns and Narcotics Task Force was conducting a joint narcotics investigation with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and the Lower Township Police Detective Division into illegal narcotics sales in the Villas section of Lower Township.
During the drug suppression efforts, a motor vehicle violation was observed, and the vehicle was subsequently stopped by Lower Township Patrol Officers. During this stop, a K9 sweep of the vehicle was conducted by Officer Gomez of the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office with K9 “Bama.” During this sweep, K9 “Bama” indicated to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. The vehicle was then seized, and the occupants were released at the scene pending the issuance of a Court authorized search warrant.
Officials say on March 7th, a Superior Court Search Warrant was authorized by Honorable Sarah B. Johnson, JSC for the vehicle and the subsequent search resulted in the seizure of approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine and a loaded 45 caliber handgun. Prosecutor Sutherland stated the approximate street value of a kilogram of cocaine is $32,000.00.
This investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending for the drugs and weapon that were seized.
Prosecutor Sutherland continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800, or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
Any charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty.