Drugs, Guns Seized In Union County School Zone

ELIZABETH, NJ — Eight people were arrested in Union County after drugs and guns were seized in a bust near school zones on Sept. 12, authorities said.

As a result of a multi-agency operation, the Union County Prosecutor's office announced the following charges:

Shawn A. Hobson, 60 of Yemasee, SC

• First degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances
• First degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• First degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• Two counts of second degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances
• Three counts of second degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property
• Six counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances
• Three counts of third degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone
• Third degree resisting arrest by flight

Louis E. White, 56 of Elizabeth, NJ

• Two counts of second degree possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• Second degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances
• Second degree eluding law enforcement
• Five counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Third degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone
• Third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substance
• Third degree resisting arrest by flight

Tyrone Smith, 66 of Elizabeth, NJ

• Two counts of second degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property
• Two counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1,000 feet of school property

Ishmiel M. Baker, 47 of Elizabeth, NJ

• Two counts of first degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• Two counts of second degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property
• Two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing controlled dangerous substances offense
• Second degree certain person not to possess weapons
• Three counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone
• Third degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone
• Third degree possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• Fourth degree large capacity magazines
• Fourth degree prohibited weapons and devices-hollow nose/dum dum bullets
• Fourth degree receiving stolen property

Darrel Simms, 63 of Elizabeth, NJ

• First degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances
• Third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance

Radee A. Willis, 31 of Elizabeth, NJ

• First degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• First degree knowingly or purposely possess with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of second degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property
• Two counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of a school zone

Shaquanda L. Wells, 45 of Elizabeth, NJ

• First degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• First degree knowingly or purposely possess with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of second degree possession with intent to distribute within 500ft of public property
• Two counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance
• Two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1,000 feet of school property

Imani K. Wells, 29 of Elizabeth, NJ

• Two counts of third degree knowingly or purposely possessing a controlled dangerous substance

After carrying out search warrants on Sept. 12 across multiple locations in Elizabeth, officials were able to seize:

• 24,920 folds of suspected heroin
• 1,460 grams of suspected cocaine
• 260 grams of suspected crack cocaine
• 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine
• 2 handguns

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with our local, state, and federal partners to relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who endanger our citizens," Union County Prosecutor William Daniel added. "This action sends a clear message that drug traffickers will not find a safe haven in Union County."

The takedown followed an ongoing effort by the Union County Prosecutor's Office in collaboration with the Elizabeth Police Department to break up a drug operation that had grown beyond Elizabeth to other nearby communities. Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Union County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, and Union County SWAT all aided in the case.