Handguns, Heroin Seized From Trenton Man In Mercer-Ocean Drug Bust

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Trenton man is facing drug distribution and weapons charges after authorities seized three firearms, heroin and fentanyl following an investigation into heroin distribution in Ocean and Mercer counties, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday.

Aramis Wiggins, 32, was arrested April 6 at a hotel room in South Brunswick, where authorities say he was using to store and distribute the drugs, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Wiggins was arrested after authorities executed a search warrant and seized about 1,800 wax folds of heroin, 55 suspected fentanyl pills, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm carbine rifle, a loaded Glock .30-caliber handgun, a Stoeger 9mm handgun, and about $9,000 in cash, Billhimer said.

Billhimer said the investigation identified two homes in Trenton that Wiggins was using, which were searched in addition to the hotel room. They did not detail which items were seized from which location.

Wiggins was initially taken to the Mercer County Jail but has since been released under New Jersey Bail Reform rules, Billhimer said.

Wiggins was charged with distribution of less than one-half ounce of heroin; possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of heroin with intent to distribute; possession of less than one-half ounce of heroin with intent to distribute; possession of less than one-half ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute; two counts of possession of heroin; possession of fentanyl; possession of drug paraphernalia; certain person not to possess a weapon, and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon — specifically handguns, Billhimer said.

Billhimer said the following agencies and units investigated:

• Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group 5
• Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Special Investigations Unit
• Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit
• New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit
• Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit
• Lakewood Township Police Department Special Crimes Unit
• Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit
• South Brunswick Township Police Department

Billhimer said the Mercer County Sheriff's Office Tactical Response Team assisted with the searches and arrest.