The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force concluded a two-month investigation last week with the seizure of $4,500 in cocaine and two handguns, and four arrests, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Officials say Onofri stated that in July 2019, the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force received a citizen complaint about the distribution of cocaine from inside the Firkin Tavern on Parkway Avenue in Ewing Township.
Police said Thursday evening, September 26, task force officers along with the Ewing police executed search warrants at residences in Ewing and Trenton, as well as multiple vehicles.
During the search of Qumaine Ellis’ residence on Cornwall Avenue in Trenton and his 2016 Dodge Durango, approximately seven grams of cocaine were found.
Officers also located a .380 caliber handgun in Ellis’ vehicle and a 9mm handgun in his residence.
Ellis, 27, was arrested and charged with second-degree narcotics offenses, weapons offenses and resisting arrest. He is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center pending a detention hearing.
Officers discovered 35 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the bedroom of Ryan Sodomin’s West Upper Ferry Road residence in Ewing and approximately three grams of cocaine in his 2012 Cadillac CTS. Sodomin, 22, was arrested and charged with second- degree narcotics offenses.
During the investigation, the police also identified Ewing residents Jacob Hahn, 25, and Jacob Vizzini, 25, as patrons utilizing the Firkin Tavern to conduct drug transactions.
Both Vizzini and Hahn were arrested and charged with third-degree narcotics offenses.
Onofri stated that the seized cocaine has an approximate street value of $4,500. Three vehicles were seized as drug proceeds.
Officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ewing, Hamilton, Princeton and Trenton police, under the command of the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, assisted with the investigation.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.