8 Arrested In Burlington County Drug Bust: Prosecutor

Eight people were arrested during a bust at a suspected drug house in Burlington County, Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Beverly City Public Safety Director Rich Wolbert announced on Wednesday. A search warrant was executed at a home on C Broad Street n Beverly City on March 22, after investigators identified the house as a location to sell drugs.

“This property was the location of numerous calls for service in 2017, including calls for suspected drug activity, weapons offenses, gambling, large crowds of people and disorderly persons offenses, to name a few,” Wolbert said. “This joint operation sends a clear message that these types of activities will not be tolerated in our community.”

Those arrested as a result of the investigation include:

Charles C. Tallmadge Jr., 57, who lived at the location, and was charged with three counts of possession of crack cocaine, three counts of possession of heroin, three counts of distribution of crack cocaine, three counts of distribution of heroin, three counts of distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and three counts of distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school zone;

Derrick Bell, 26, of Beverly City, who was charged with two counts of possession of crack cocaine, two counts of possession of heroin, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, two counts of distribution of heroin, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and two counts of distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school zone;

Robert J. Hawkins, 48, of Beverly City, who was charged with two counts of possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of heroin, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school zone; and

Davaughn J. Whitfield-Gaines, 20, of Beverly City, who was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, obstruction, and resisting arrest by flight. Police also seized $1,454 in cash from Whitfield-Gaines.

All of the drug violations were third degree charges. Tallmadge and Whitfield-Gaines were detained and placed in the Burlington County Jail. Four other people found in the house during the execution of the search warrant were issued summonses.

Cindy Tallmadge, 56, who lived at the residence, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Whitney E. Mercantini, 29, of Florence; Talesha L. Thomas, 32, of Mount Holly; and Nancy L. Baird, 54, of Beverly City, were each charged with one count of loitering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

“The Prosecutor’s Office was pleased to partner with the Beverly City Police Department on this investigation,” Coffina said. “Nobody should have to endure such repugnant activities in their neighborhood. Our office will assist local police departments in whatever way is needed to help improve the quality of life for the residents of their towns.”

The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force and the Beverly City Police Department. The Edgewater Park Police Department and the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit (Technical Emergency and Mission Specialists) provided assistance executing the search warrant and arresting the suspects.

The attached images of Charles C. Tallmadge Jr., Derrick Bell, Robert J. Hawkins and Davaughn J. Whitfield-Gaines were provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office