4 Charged in Somerset County Narcotics Investigation: Prosecutor

Four men face multiple drug and drug distribution charges after a narcotics investigation led to the seizure of heroin, crack cocaine, pills, and marijuana in Somerset County last Wednesday, according to the prosecutor’s office.

It was about 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 16 when detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force and the Bound Brook Police Department executed a search warrant at the Bound Brook residence Jason L. Smith, 18, as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

The search resulted in the seizure of:

• 191 folds of heroin
• 16 grams of crack cocaine
  
• 37 grams of marijuana
• 16 Oxycodone pills
• a digital scale
• packaging materials
  
• $533 in US currency

According to the prosecutor’s office, detectives also noticed a white Nissan Sentra, that Smith was previously observed driving during the investigation, parked near the residence. Smith’s mother, the registered owner of the vehicle, gave detectives consent to search her vehicle.

A Steyr .25 Caliber pistol was located in the trunk compartment of the vehicle and further investigation revealed Smith is the primary operator of the Nissan Sentra.

The following suspects were arrested during the investigation:

• Jason L. Smith, 18, of West Main Street, Bound Brook
• Nicholas Whipert, 23, of West Main Street, Bound Brook
  
• Sakuan Peace, 21, of Madison Street, South Bound Brook
  
• Christian Zuniga, 22, of Remsen Street, New Brunswick

Each suspect was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and charged with:

• Possession of CDS (Heroin) with the Intent to Distribute, 3rd degree,
• Possession of CDS (Crack Cocaine), 3rd degree
• Possession of CDS (Oxycodone), 3rd degree
• Possession of Marijuana (under 50 grams) a Disorderly Persons Offense.
  

Smith was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, 2nd Degree.