Man Caught With Drugs, 'Cleaver-Style Knife' In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD TWP., NJ — Stafford Township police arrested an Atlantic City man near the Walmart on Route 72 Friday evening after officers learned he had an active warrant, according to the department.

Police said the Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit was in the area of Walmart, 525 Route 72, at about 6:40 p.m. on April 24, 2026, when officers saw Kevin Gallagher, 48, of Texas Avenue in Atlantic City. The department said Gallagher was known to the unit from previous incidents and that officers had been informed he had an active outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Gallagher was arrested at the scene on the warrant, according to police. During a search incident to arrest, the Drug Enforcement Unit recovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a cleaver-style knife, police reported.

Police charged Gallagher with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to have a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges stem from the arrest and items recovered during the search, according to the department. The police statement did not provide additional details about the outstanding warrant or the quantity of methamphetamine recovered.

After processing at Stafford Township Police Department, Gallagher was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he is awaiting a detention hearing in Ocean County Superior Court, according to police.