Two men were apprehended by police after allegedly conducted an illicit drug transaction in Newark’s North Ward.

According to authorities, the Essex County Sheriff’s Bureau of Narcotics began an investigation after receiving complaints about illegal drug activity around in the North Ward of Newark, NJ. Detectives were conducting surveillance at Parker Street and Park Avenue because the area is known by locals for being an open-air drug market.

Detectives reportedly saw a 35-year-old suspect who was loitering on Parker Street. Police then reportedly observe another suspect, a 46-year-old man from Newark, walked toward the suspect and talk to him. A short time later, the main suspect allegedly headed into an alley and retrieved an item that was hidden on the ground. The suspect then allegedly gave the item to the other suspect, who in turn handed over an unspecified amount of cash.

Essex County NJ police tracked the buyer as he left the scene and eventually detained him. A search of the suspect allegedly turned up four vials of crack cocaine. As a result, the suspect has been charged with cocaine possession.

When Newark NJ police searched the alleyway, they allegedly discovered a plastic bag that contained 40 more vials of crack cocaine. As a result, the alleged drug seller was charged with cocaine distribution. Additionally, he was charged with the sale of drugs near a school and the sale of illegal drugs near a public park.

After being placed under arrest, the alleged drug dealer was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ. He was being held at the jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

For more information about this case, go to the NJ.com article, “Man Was Allegedly Selling Crack in Drug-Plagued Newark Neighborhood.”