Alleged drug dealer arrested
NEWARK -- Two Newark police officers interrupted a drug transaction, arrested the accused dealer and seized a loaded gun along with a host of narcotics, authorities said Wednesday.
According to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, officers Roger Mendes and Onofre Cabezas were checking a building on the 700 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard Tuesday afternoon when they spotted Santos Rivera sell drugs to an unidentified woman.
Officers arrested Rivera as he tried to run into an apartment, authorities said in a statement. A search of a backup he was wearing revealed 10 envelopes holding 207 decks of heroin, 22 vials of cocaine, 31 bags of marijuana, a loaded handgun and bullets.
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The suspected drug buyer managed to escape, police said. Rivera, 24, of Newark, faces charges, including possession of heroin, cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute the drugs within school and public housing property, and weapons possession.
Police asked anyone with information to contact the 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867). Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers would be kept confidential.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.