18°
James Nalbone Jr., 35, of Hamilton Township, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 7, following a month-long investigation, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton said.
Detectives detained Nalbone at his home on Byron Avenue and executed a search warrant, Hilton said. Sgt. Tom Paglione's K-9 partner, Indy, gave positive indications of a drug odor at multiple locations within the premises, police said.
Detectives subsequently found six kilograms of cocaine, 130 pounds of marijuana, 2,000 oxycodone pills, three handguns and a defaced ghost gun, and approximately $65,000 in cash.
Assorted drug paraphernalia including scales, packaging materials, and hydraulic presses used to re-rock cocaine into kilograms for distribution, was also seized, according to the prosecutor.
A search of Nalbone’s Lincoln MKZ turned up another handgun and paperwork indicating he was renting space at a nearby storage facility.
Detectives again used a narcotics canine and were able to obtain a search warrant after Indy gave a positive indication at a storage unit rented by Nalbone on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton.
Inside of the storage unit, detectives found an additional 12 kilograms of cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana and a large amount of edible marijuana.
Nalbone was charged with 18 narcotics and weapons offenses of various degrees and one count of money laundering. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.
According to Acting Prosecutor Hilton, the total street value of the confiscated drugs is $1,102,500. The cocaine is valued at approximately $630,000; the marijuana is valued at approximately $450,000; and the oxycodone is valued at approximately $22,500.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Morris Plains and receive free news updates.
