Two South Brunswick Residents Arrested In Drug Sales Bust: Prosecutor

SOUTH BRUNSWICK-- Two South Brunswick residents and a South River resident were arrested in connection with a street-level drug operation, according to prosecutors.

Jamie Monroe and Nissa Dennington of South Brunswick and Dorian Graham of South River were charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm while distributing heroin.

The arrests follow an "intensive" investigation that began in April, prosecutors said. Police found "large quantities" of heroin and drug paraphernalia worth over $20,000, six handguns and a bulletproof vest. The drug operation made thousands of dollars annually, police said.

Heroin has reached epidemic levels in New Jersey recently. The nearby towns of Edison and Plainfield were hit particularly hard in 2015.

“In order to address the current heroin epidemic in New Jersey, we must take a two-pronged approach. First, we have a duty to provide education and comprehensive treatment to those vulnerable to addiction,” Prosecutor Andrew Carey said in a statement.

“In addition, it imperative that law enforcement continue to investigate and prosecute vigorously those who profit from the addictions of others, and who are responsible for the violence associated with the illegal drug trade," Carey continued. "Those who use illegal firearms to make a living selling this poison simply do not care that our citizens are dying.”

In addition to the drug charges, Monroe and Graham were charged with weapons offenses. Graham was also charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute it in a school zone.