MERCER, NJ — Two people have been charged following a two-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Trenton that led to the seizure of 160 grams of cocaine and more than $36,000 in cash, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said Wednesday.
The investigation was conducted by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force with assistance from other agencies. Search warrants were obtained for Andrew Anderson, his residence in Eastampton, a storage unit in Lawrence Township, and two vehicles.
On Aug. 6, task force members, with assistance from the Hamilton SWAT Team, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Unit, the Eastampton Township Police Department and Robbinsville Township Police K-9 Rudy, executed a search warrant at Anderson's residence on Patriots Way in Eastampton.
Detectives seized around $32,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia and three large digital scales. Anderson's girlfriend, Aniyah Boone, was detained outside the residence without incident.
A search of a storage facility on Brunswick Pike in Lawrence Township turned up numerous items bearing Anderson's name, along with 9mm live ammunition and drug paraphernalia, according to the prosecutor's office.
Anderson was detained without incident in Trenton while driving his Ford F-150. During the search, Robbinsville Township Officer Ryan Meehan's K-9 partner, Rudy, gave a positive indication for narcotics inside the vehicle. Detectives then found a secret compartment in the rear of the infotainment system containing approximately 160 grams of suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia, along with two digital scales and about $4,403 in cash.
Anderson, 35, was charged with first-degree narcotics offenses and money laundering. The prosecutor's office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial. Boone, 26, was charged with second-degree narcotics offenses and money laundering and was released pending future court proceedings.
Marbrey said the confiscated cocaine has an approximate street value of $8,000.
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