A Middletown New Jersey man was reportedly caught with a handgun, as well as large quantities of heroin and cocaine during a drug bust on a Newark NJ street.

According to Essex County officials, the 49-year-old suspect was seen by police officers as he sold illicit drugs near Davenport Avenue and North 11th Street in Newark, New Jersey.

Members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office then approached the suspect and placed him under arrest.

A subsequent search of the suspect allegedly turned up large amounts of heroin and cocaine. Police also reportedly found the suspect in possession of a .25-caliber handgun.

The suspect faces several criminal charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, a certain persons offense for being a felon illegally in possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon while committing a drug crime, heroin possession, and cocaine possession.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the most serious charges of illegal possession of a handgun, he would be subject to significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), anyone found in possession of a handgun without a valid permit or license to carry can be charged with a second degree crime. A conviction on second degree illegal possession of a handgun charges could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

After being arrested and charged, the suspect was moved to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, New Jersey. He was being held there on a $75,000 bail amount.

For further information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Delaware Man Arrested in Newark Drug Bust.”