Guns, $20,000 in Marijuana Seized Following Mercer County Investigation

Numerous firearms and $20,000 in marijuana were seized during a narcotics investigation that concluded last week, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said on Wednesday.

The investigation targeted 33-year-old Jason Chytraus, who surrendered to Ewing police on an active arrest warrant on Oct. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

At that point, Chytraus was informed of the investigation, and officers from the county Narcotics Task Force and the county Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his home on Oriole Drive in Ewing.

A search of the residence allegedly allegedly revealed a safe in a bedroom containing handguns and the following assault rifles: one DPMS Panther Arms .223-5.56 MM Model A-15 assault rifle, one WASR-10 7.62 *39mm assault rifle, one Hi-Point firearms 9mm*19 model 995 assault rifle and one Iver Johnson’s arms .30 caliber assault rifle.

Various firearm magazines and .223 caliber ammunition were also allegedly found in the safe.

A plastic container with a large quantity of harvested marijuana stems was allegedly found in the basement. A safe containing $13,090 was allegedly found in Chytraus’ bedroom. Investigators also seized Chytraus’ vehicle, a 2012 black Ford F250, as drug proceeds.

A search of a mobile home in the backyard allegedly revealed a small amount of marijuana and additional .223 caliber ammunition. A digital scale was found in the shed. A search of Chytraus revealed $1,343.

As a result of information received during the search warrant on Oriole Drive, Ewing officers obtained a search warrant for a residence on Harding Street in Ewing.

This search allegedly revealed a small amount of marijuana and a digital scale in the basement. A quantity of marijuana was allegedly found in a grill in the rear yard, and in a broken-down vehicle in the rear yard.

This search resulted in yet another search, this time at a home on Millstone River Road in Montgomery Township. This one allegedly revealed about five pounds of marijuana packaged in various containers and in various sizes in the attic.

The total estimated street value of the marijuana is $20,000, according to Lt. Mike Novembre, who helped oversee the search.

Chytraus was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of marijuana over 50 grams, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana over five pounds, three counts of possession of an assault rifle, possession of a high capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess a firearm, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

His bail was set at $250,000.

Officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence and Trenton police assisted with the investigation.