Cocaine, $15K Cash, Loaded Gun Found Inside Plainfield Apartment

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A large amount of cocaine, $15,000 in cash and a loaded gun was found inside a Plainfield apartment, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Wednesday.

Juan Carlos Franco, 39, was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, five lesser drug offenses, and second-degree possession of a weapon during the execution of a drug scheme, Ruotolo said.

A search of Franco's apartment on the 800 block of East Front Street last week found about 780 grams of cocaine in several plastic bags, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Benza of the Opioid Task Force, who is prosecuting the case.

A .357-caliber revolver loaded with six live rounds, more than $15,000 in cash, a digital scale, and other assorted pieces of drug paraphernalia were also found inside the apartment, Ruotolo said.

Franco was taken to the Union County Jail to await a first appearance and detention hearing scheduled to take place in Superior Court.

Franco faces 10 to 20 years in state prison on the first-degree criminal charges.

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