HOBOKEN, NJ — Two men were arrested in Hoboken this month after police observed what they believed was a drug deal in the area of the Housing Authority projects, officials said.
On July 8, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Police Officers Valentino Salgado and David Smetkowski saw Jacob Smith, 31, of Hoboken conduct what they believed was a drug deal on the 300 block of Jackson Street, police said.
The other person involved was inside a dark-colored vehicle, police said.
Sgt. Michael Losurdo later stopped Smith on the 200 block of Adams Street.
A search found that Smith had a controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Soon after, Police Officers Mario Rodriguez and John Rodriguez pulled the involved vehicle over and arrested the driver, Warren Groomes 45, of Hoboken.
A search of Groomes' vehicle resulted in the recovery of a "significant quantity of suspected CDS including heoin, crack cocaine, and ecstasy, along with drug paraphernalia, and a folding knife," police said. "Officers also found a large amount of currency believed to be proceeds from narcotics distribution."
Groomes and Smith were taken to Hoboken Police Headquarters.
Groomes was charged with multiple narcotics distribution and possession charges, as well as a weapons offense, police said.
Smith was charged with possession of CDS (controlled dangerous substance) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both were then taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
“These arrests are another example of the outstanding work our patrol officers do every day, and the dedication they have to residents, and their concerns,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “Their attentiveness and quick actions helped remove a significant number of dangerous narcotics from the streets of Hoboken."
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