Mid-Day Drug Deal In School Zone Busted Up By Cops, NJ Authorities Say

HOBOKEN, NJ — Two men were charged with drug distribution and possession last week after a detective busted up a transaction inside a school zone.

Marquis Praylow, 29, of Hoboken, and Kevin Salamanca, 42, of North Arlington, were charged on Monday, said the Hoboken police.

At around 12:45 p.m., detectives saw a drug deal involving a cigarette dipped in phencyclidine (PCP), known colloquially as "angel dust,” authorities said.

The transaction took place on the 300 block of Jackson Street, police said.

Praylow ran when he saw officers, and was seen discarding an item, police said.

After Praylow was arrested, police found a bottle containing 22 wax-like folds and a small jar containing a gold liquid, suspected to be PCP, nearby, police said.

Police also found $148 in small denominations, "consistent with narcotics transactions," they said.

Both men were taken to Hoboken Police Headquarters, where they were charged with controlled dangerous substance distribution and possession within a school zone.

Then, they were taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Police said that the Department Detective Bureau’s Street Crimes Unit, supervised by Det. Sgt. William Collins, arrested the pair as part of an ongoing investigation "prompted by numerous community complaints about drug activity in and around the Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA)."

Back in June, police arrested 24 people in connection with an ongoing drug investigation centered on the same corner, they said. READ MORE: 17 From Hoboken Arrested, Crack Cocaine Seized In Drug Investigation: Police

“The Hoboken Police Department remains committed to addressing narcotics activity and other quality-of-life issues within the city,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “I applaud our Street Crimes Unit for their dedication to this issue and encourage residents to continue reporting any suspicious behavior.”