Newark New Jersey police recently busted three people accused of possessing illegal drugs and a loaded handgun inside a local apartment.

The Newark Police Department got a call about drug activity on the 50s block of 11th Avenue in Newark, NJ. When Newark Police Emergency Response Team detectives showed up at the scene, they allegedly observed two men in the process of conducting a drug transaction.

One of the men reportedly started to run when he saw the Newark police officers.

Newark police chased the suspect into an apartment building and caught up to him inside a first-floor apartment, where they also found two more suspects.

Police subsequently searched the residence and allegedly discovered 31 envelopes of heroin, four grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded 9-mm gun.

The three suspects were arrested at the scene.

The suspects, who are from Newark NJ, are all around 50 years of age. They are charged with multiple crimes, including possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

If the suspects are eventually convicted of heroin possession, they would face significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10, possession of even a trace amount of heroin is a third degree felony and is punishable by a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

After the suspects were placed under arrest, the Newark police director issued a statement praising the officers involved for helping to keep drugs and guns off city streets.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “3 Arrested on Weapons, Drug Charges in Newark.”