Snapchat Gun Post Leads To Drug Arrest Of Brick Man: Prosecutor

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man is facing multiple drug and weapons charges after authorities say he posted a photo of a handgun and cash on Snapchat.

Taishaun Cosme, 24, of Brick, was arrested Jan. 23 in Lakewood, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Tuesday.

Barnegat detectives saw photos a man had posted on Snapchat of a firearm and cash in his car and notified the Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force, Billhimer said. The investigation by the strike force along with police from Barnegat, Brick, Lakewood and Toms River identified the man as Cosme. They then were able to find him driving through Lakewood, thanks to the geo-location function on Snapchat, he said.

Detectives pulled him over and, with a search warrant, searched the vehicle, where they found a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun and several rounds of hollow-point bullets, as well as a significant amount of cocaine, a digital scale, and assorted paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution, Billhimer said.

Cosme has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a weapon while committing a controlled dangerous substance offense; unlawful possession of a weapon; possession of a prohibited weapon or device; cyber harassment, and disorderly conduct, Billhimer said.

He is being held at the Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.

"The apprehension of Taishaun Cosme is a prime example of what law enforcement agencies can accomplish when they work together," Billhimer said, praising "a collaborative effort by multiple departments to remove a dangerous drug dealer from the streets of Ocean County."

"We will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals that poison our communities with drugs and terrify our neighborhoods with guns," he said.

The Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit and Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team and Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Patrol Division, Street Crimes Unit and Detective Bureau, and Brick Township Police Department Patrol Division, Street Crimes Unit and Detective Bureau all took part in the investigation, he said.

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