'Weedman' Arrested as Part of Drug Raid at Cafe in Mercer County: Police

Weedman’s Joint was raided on Wednesday by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Trenton Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. said on Thursday.

A total of 11 people were arrested and more than $19,000 in marijuana was seized as part of the two-month investigation.

The raid at the property used by 51-year-old Ed Forchion, a.k.a. Weedman as a café and sanctuary for the last year took place at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after multiple sources told the task force that Forchion was distributing marijuana from the premises.

Complaints from the community had also been received about the constant foot traffic in and out of the establishment at all hours.

A search of the premises allegedly turned up 56 grams of marijuana and 32 grams of edible marijuana candy in the sanctuary, along with $85 in a jar that read, “Nothing is free donate.” More than a pound of marijuana butter was allegedly found in the kitchen, and 10 grams of marijuana and a large amount of drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in an additional private shop area.

Officers allegedly found 1,055 grams of marijuana, five grams of hashish, five ounces of promethazine, scales, $60 in cash and packaging materials in the office, and 28 additional grams of marijuana in the backyard.

A search of Forchion allegedly revealed $330. A Toyota Matrix was seized as drug proceeds. Two other cars were seized from the scene pending further investigation.

Forchion and several people at the cafe were arrested without incident.

One person, 45-year-old Shawn Hurley, allegedly saw officers and threw a deck of heroin off the roof.

A search warrant was also executed on South Olden Avenue in Hamilton in connection to the investigation.

Officers allegedly found 7 grams of marijuana in the garage and drug paraphernalia in the residence.

The homeowner, 52-year-old Sharon Shelton, came home during the search. She was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Forchion is charged with six counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with the intent to distribute, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park, fortified premises, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a narcotics nuisance. His bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond.

Hurley was charged with one count of possession of heroin.

Tomas Geronimo, 27, was charged with three counts of marijuana distribution, one count of marijuana possession and an outstanding Trenton warrant.

Seven Trenton residents were charged with outstanding warrants, including:

• Nhuygel Green, 52;
• Gregory Peterson, 20;
• Philippe Dume, 28;
• Alfonso Clark, 35;
• Brian Jones, 46;
• Roderick McKinney, 39; and
• Timothy Williams, 27.

The search warrants were executed by officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the Hamilton and Trenton police, under the command of Lt. Mike Novembre.

Novembre estimated the street value of the seized narcotics at $19,270.

The attached image of Ed Forchion was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office