Galloway Cocaine Dealer Gets 13 Years In Prison: AG

GALLOWAY, N.J. — A drug dealer in Galloway was sentenced to 13 years in prison, NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewel announced Friday. Authorities previously seized cocaine, heroin, a handgun and $48,000 in cash in connection to Bryan Martinez.

Officials twice arrested Martinez, 29. Galloway police stopped his vehicle Nov. 27, 2017 at the request of the Division of Criminal Justice, which had obtained a search warrant.

Galloway detectives found $3,598 cash on Martinez and $45,000 in the vehicle. They also discovered a .38 Special revolver and small quantities of heroin and cocaine. Because Martinez had prior drug convictions, he was prohibited from gun possession.

Authorities arrested Martinez again on Dec. 6. A state trooper stopped his vehicle in Port Republic after he ran through a stop sign. The trooper smelled burnt marijuana and arrested Martinez. The official search Martinez's vehicle and found over 10 ounces of cocaine in a hidden compartment next to the steering wheel.

“Martinez demonstrated that if left on the street, he will go back to his old tricks of dealing dangerous drugs while armed with a handgun,” Grewal said. “We have ensured that this menace to the community will remain safely behind bars for a long time.”

Martinez pleaded guilty in both cases on March 21. In relation to the second arrest, he pleaded guilty to first-degree cocaine possession with intent to distribute. He will not be eligible for parole until 6 1/2 years in.

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