Essex County Cops Make $5K PCP Bust In Newark, Alleged Latin Kings Member Arrested

Newark, NJ – Essex County Sheriff’s officers arrested a reputed Latin Kings gang member on Tuesday after finding $5,000 of angel dust during a narcotics arrest in Newark.

According to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, acting in response to “neighborhood complaints of drug trafficking,” detectives conducted an undercover surveillance operation at the intersection of Washington and Hill streets in downtown Newark at noon.

Police reportedly observed alleged Latin Kings gang member Craig Hadniyak, 43 of Carteret, loitering in the area. Within minutes, officers allegedly saw a male – later identified as Kyle Eley, 44, of Irvington – approach Hadniyak.

After a brief conversation, Hadniyak produced a set of keys and entered 49 Hill Street, a multi-residence building. He then exchanged a “wet cigarette” laced with PCP with Eley for cash, police allege.

Police followed Eley from the scene and later detained him, finding 60 Tramadol painkiller capsules in his possession. Eley also reportedly threw the wet cigarette he had allegedly purchased to the ground when approached by police.

Police detained Hadniyak and searched the hallway of the apartment building, finding four glass bottles filled with Phencycline (PCP), valued at $5,000.

Authorities charged Hadniyak with two counts of possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute CDS.

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.