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The raids, which took place Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 31, were the result of a four-month investigation and targeted individuals believed to be involved in the distribution of controlled substances, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II said.
Recovered in the raids were approximately 27 grams of heroin, 20 vials of cocaine and crack cocaine, 84 Ecstasy pills, Oxycodone and Xanax pills as well as drug packaging paraphernalia, Stephens said The street value of the drugs is estimated to be about $7,000, Stephens said.
Also recovered in the raids were about $6,500 in cash, three handguns, one assault rifle, one silencer, one drum magazine, and two extended magazines, Stephens said. Two vehicles were also seized, one of which featured a concealed aftermarket compartment, commonly used to evade detection by law enforcement, Stephens said.
Malik Teel 44, Roberto Rodriguez 53, Edward Boone 55, Allison Adams 53, were taken into custody on drug-related charges, Stephens said Michael Melvin, 44, faces additional first-degree weapons charges, which carry a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years. The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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