Two Arrested on Drugs and Weapons Charges Following Investigation

Two Egg Harbor City men have been arrested and charged with multiple narcotics offenses following a long term investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs Guns and Narcotics Unit.

According to a press release, several search warrants were executed on May 8th and 9th where approximately 25 pounds of marijuana, over 6,700 bags of packaged heroin, 3 ounces of unpackaged heroin, 1 ounce of cocaine, one handgun, multiple high capacity magazines, hollow point ammunition, and approximately $52,000 was seized.

As a result of the investigation, 30-year-old Steven Martinez of Egg Harbor City has been charged with the following offenses:

• Possession with the intent distribute heroin- 1st Degree
• Operate a drug production facility used for the manufacturing of controlled dangerous substances- 1st Degree
• Possession of a weapon by a prohibited person – 2nd Degree
• Unlawful possession of a weapon- 2nd Degree
• Possession with the intent to distribute Marijuana- 2nd Degree
• Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances- 2nd Degree
• Money Laundering/ possess property (approximately $52,000.00) deprived from criminal activity and utilize in furtherance of illegal narcotics transactions- 3rd Degree
• Endangering the welfare of a child- 2nd Degree
• Maintaining a fortified structure for the manufacturing, distribution or possession of controlled dangerous substances- 3rd Degree
• (1)- Possession of heroin- 3rd Degree
• (3)- Possession of Marijuana- 4th Degree

25-year-old Joshua Cortes, also of Egg Harbor City, as been charged with the following:

• (1)- Possession with the intent to distribute Marijuana- 2nd Degree
• (1)- Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances- 2nd Degree
• (3)- Possession of Marijuana- 4th Degree

Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said, “These arrests and the confiscation of this load of narcotics, weapons, and money represents a small victory for our community. Had this operation been allowed to continue to operate uninterrupted, 6,750 bags of heroin would have reached every municipality in our county and would have had a significant impact on an untold number of lives of addicts, their family members, and the many faceless victims of drug abuse."

A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 16th.