Brothers among 3 arrested in Newark undercover drug bust

The bust came after complaints about open-air drug sales in the city's West Ward, according to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura

Edward Simmons (Essex County Correctional Facility)

NEWARK - A pair of brothers were among three people arrested on drug charges Wednesday after an undercover police bust in the city's West Ward.

According to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, detectives from his narcotics bureau spotted 38-year-old Edward Simmons pacing in the area of 14^th Avenue and South 18^th Street, where neighbors had complained about open-air drug activity.

They looked on as Simmons handed over several items to a male passerby, and received cash in return.

Police tailed the apparent customer, later identified as 60-year-old Abdul Muhammad, and found him carrying a single vial of crack cocaine, Fontoura said.

They returned to the scene of the transaction and found Simmons in conversation with his brother, 31-year-old Willie Simmons. The brothers noticed police approaching, and Edward Simmons took off on foot, tossing a plastic bag filled with 39 envelopes of heroin and 34 vials of crack cocaine along his way, according to the sheriff.

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He was apprehended a short time later, and charged with various drug offenses and resisting arrest. He was later taken to the Essex County Jail, where he is being held on $35,000 bail.

Willie Simmons remained on scene, and was eventually handed over eight bags of marijuana to police, Fontoura said.

Both he and Muhammad were issued a summons for drug possession and released pending upcoming appearances in Essex County Superior Court.