Man Arrested In Somerset County After Guns, Hollow-Point Bullets, Drugs Found: Prosecutor

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A Dunellen man was arrested after police found a slew of drugs, a handgun, and hollow-point bullets, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.

Pablo Hernandez-Garcia, 38, of Dunellen, was arrested following a three-month narcotic investigation that began with Somerset County investigators at a home on North Avenue in Dunellen.

A search of Hernandez-Garcia's home found an FN Herstal handgun, a high-capacity magazine, and hollow-point ammunition, said McDonald.

This handgun with a matching serial number was reported stolen in 2020 out of the state of Louisiana.

In addition, about 723 grams of suspected heroin, around 385 grams of suspected cocaine, and various manufacturing and packaging materials were also seized, said McDonald.

The firearms and narcotics recovered hold an estimated street value of about $223,350 in cash.

Pablo Hernandez-Garcia was arrested in Somerset County and charged with the following:

• First-degree possession with the intent to distribute heroin (over 5 ounces)
• First-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine (over 5 ounces)
• First-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• Second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a narcotics offense
• Second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm
• Third-degree possession of heroin
• Third-degree possession of cocaine
• Third-degree receiving stolen property
• Fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine
• Fourth-degree possession of hollow point ammunition

Pablo Hernandez-Garcia was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing on this matter.

McDonald thanked "all law enforcement involved in this investigation who worked collaboratively and ensured that a significant amount of potentially deadly dangerous substances never made their way into our communities."

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task at 908-575-3300, or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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