Gun, Drugs Recovered Following Traffic Stop, Sheriff Says

A traffic stop by Essex County Sheriff’s officers Monday night led to the arrests of two city men on drug charges, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. 

Patrolling officers spotted a 2000 Buick Century speeding along Elizabeth Avenue around 8 p.m., Fontoura said. The car was pulled over on West Peddie Street.

As officers were checking the car’s license plate, the two men inside were seen reaching under the  seat, Fontoura said. Officers saw a bag of marijuana on the floor near the driver, Naiem Moore, 24, Fontoura said.

Fontoura said after the men were ordered from the car, officers also found two glassine envelopes of heroin on the passenger seat where Jaquil Johnson, 24, had been sitting. Officers also discovered a  loaded .32-caliber semi-automatic handgun beneath the driver’s seat, Fontoura said.

Moore was charged with weapons and narcotics violations and was also issued summonses for motor-vehicle infractions. He was being held on $70,000 bail Tuesday.  

Johnson was charged with narcotics possession and issued a summons.