Alleged Crack Dealers Arrested In Bloomfield

A joint task force of police officers arrested two alleged crack dealers on Wednesday near the intersection of Franklin Street and Willard Avenue in Bloomfield.

The Newark men – both alleged Crips members according to police – were arrested during an undercover operation conducted by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and the Bloomfield Police Department.

According to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, police observed a green 1992 Acura Legend drive into the rear parking lot of 159 Franklin Street around 2 p.m.

“Both the driver of the vehicle and his passenger were known to our officers, and the task force moved in to investigate,” stated Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

Officers found a clear plastic zip-lock bag containing 29 grams of crack-cocaine – with a street value of $15,000 - in “clear sight on the car’s center console,” a release stated.

The driver, Romello Gonzalez, 19, and his passenger, Christopher James, 22, were placed under arrest.

A search of the two unemployed suspects for officer safety revealed that Gonzalez had $135 in his pants pocket and James had $1,001 in his pants pocket.

Gonzalez and James were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Bloomfield Tech and conspiracy to violate New Jersey’s narcotics laws.

Gonzalez was also issued summonses for transporting CDS in a motor vehicle and driving while his license is suspended.

At an arraignment on Thursday, Judge Marilyn Williams set bail at $150,000 cash bond only on the two suspects and ordered them held at the county jail.