Huge Essex County Marijuana Bust: 39 Pounds Of Weed, 77 Bottles Of ‘Liquid THC’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Authorities charged an Essex County man with drug and weapon possession after recovering 39 pounds of marijuana and 77 bottles of “liquid THC” during a bust on Wednesday.

The incident began around 12:50 p.m. when detectives with the Essex County Special Enforcement Bureau allegedly saw a driver commit an unspecified “motor vehicle violation” at South and Mulberry Streets in Newark, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

After pulling over the driver, Michael Goldblatt, 34, of Newark, detectives found 77 bottles of “liquid THC” and nine pounds of marijuana in his car, police said.

After acquiring a warrant, detectives then conducted a search of Goldblatt’s Astor Place residence, where they found an additional 30 pounds of marijuana, four handguns and $34,000 in cash, which was all seized.

Police estimated the street value of the confiscated marijuana at $130,000.

Authorities charged Goldblatt with Possession of CDS (marijuana), Possession of CDS (marijuana/hashish) and Possession of CDS (hashish resin). He is also charged with Possession of CDS (marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS (marijuana/hashish) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of CDS (hashish resin). Mr. Goldblatt is further charged with four counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Defaced Firearm, four counts of Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS Offense, Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition and Certain Persons Prohibited from Weapon Possession.

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