$117K In Drugs, Guns, Cash Seized In South Jersey

BRIDGETON, NJ — Eight people were charged with various offenses after law enforcement officials seized $117,620 worth of drugs, multiple weapons and cash in Cumberland County, police said.

"Our detectives have undoubtedly made Cumberland County and surrounding areas safer by preventing these drugs from reaching the communities and removing guns from the streets," said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Law enforcement officials learned Jermina Lewis, 48, of Bridgeton, was distributing crack cocaine from residences in Fairfield Township and Bridgeton, according to police.

The ensuing investigation culminated with police searches on June 29 that recovered more than 21 pounds of marijuana, more than a pound of crack cocaine, 41 oxycodone pills, 7.7 ounces of methamphetamine, heroin, seven handguns, one ghost gun rifle, one sawed-off shotgun, a handgun conversion kit, more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition, eight high-capacity magazines, three ballistic vests, drug paraphernalia and more than $38,000 cash, according to police.

Lewis was charged with weapons and drug offenses and sent to Cumberland County Jail pending a detention hearing, police said.

The following people were also charged with weapons and/or drug offenses, according to police:

• Sanya Lawrence, 30, of Bridgeton
• Prince Samuels, 56, of Bridgeton
• Dihmere Hadden, 28, of Bridgeton
• Desmond Samuels, 53, of Bridgeton
• Desmond Donaldson Jr., 30, of Upper Deerfield
• Ricardo Martin, 40, of Bridgeton
• Cleve Murray, 64, of Bridgeton

Martin, Samuels, Hadden and Donaldson were sent to Cumberland County Jail to await detention hearings, police said. Lawrence was sent to Camden County Prison to await a detention hearing, police said, while Samuels and Murray were released pending future court dates, police said.

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