7 Charged, $12K In Marijuana Seized From Somerset House

SOMERSET, NJ — Seven people from Somerset and New Brunswick were charged and $12,000 in marijuana was seized from a Franklin Township home following a month-long investigation, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

The following were all charged with possession with second-degree intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense:

• Luis Ramirez, 25, Park Street, Somerset,
• Elvis Pena, 23, Fulton Street, New Brunswick,
• Jhonathan Peralta, 23, Rutgers Street, New Brunswick,
• Jose Marquez-Jimenez, 25, Phillips Road, Somerset,
• Mahmoud Hassan Jr., 24, Castleton Ave, Somerset,
• Taron Marner, 24, Hunt Road, Somerset,
• Vanessa Nettles, 23, Vernon Avenue, Somerset.

The month long investigation focused on Ramirez selling drugs out of a home on Park Street in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.

On June 17 authorities searched the home and found about six pounds of marijuana and various items of drug paraphernalia, to include digital scales and packaging materials indicative of drug distribution were seized, Robertson said.

The marijuana seized has an estimated street value of about $12,000.

All seven charged were released on their own recognizance pending a future court appearance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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