February 3, 2003

MERCER COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE STRIKES TWICE 

Trenton, NJ—Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced that the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, under the command of Lt. Al Paglione, executed two separate search warrants removing a substantial quantity of heroin, crack-cocaine and two handguns from the streets of Trenton late Thursday evening. 

            According to Prosecutor Giaquinto, his office received numerous complaints from concerned citizens about the open-air drug markets being operated in the North Trenton Impact Area (East Hanover, Stockton and Perry Streets) and the 100 block of Prospect Street.  Pursuant to those complaints, an investigation was initiated to identify the drug dealers and remove them from the neighborhoods.  As a result of a three week investigation, the Task Force was able to identify Jose Roman, age 23, of the 300 block of South Clinton Avenue as the volume drug dealer in the North Trenton Impact Area and James Coleman, age 55, of the first block of Prospect Street as a substantial player in the Prospect Street area drug trade. 

            The Prosecutor related that the Task Force began surveillance in the North Trenton Impact Area and developed information that Roman would leave his residence each morning and sell heroin in the Stockton/East Hanover Street area.  Officers were able to observe a hand-to-hand drug deal and immediately arrested Roman, seizing 20 decks of heroin stamped “Top Dog”.  Based on the information developed during the investigation and the discovery of heroin on Roman’s person, the Prosecutor’s Office was able to obtain a search warrant for Roman’s residence resulting in the seizure of an additional 200 decks of heroin also stamped “Top Dog”.  The Task Force also seized packaging materials and $600 in cash.  Roman has been charged with 2 counts of possession of c.d.s. and possession of c.d.s. with the intent to distribute; and, possession of c.d.s. with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. 

            Members of the Task Force also executed search warrants at Coleman’s residence seizing 20 ziplock bags of crack-cocaine, packaging materials, digital scales, a .22 caliber revolver and a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  Coleman has been charged with possession of c.d.s.; possession with the intent to distribute c.d.s.; possession of c.d.s. with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; and, unlawful possession of handguns. 

            “The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force struck hard at the open-air drug trade on the streets of Trenton.  Through its partnership with the community and textbook police work, the Task Force removed drugs and guns from the streets bringing a modicum of relief to the law-abiding citizens of the area.  My office remains committed to removing guns and drugs from the street,” Giaquinto said. 

            The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence Police Department, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey Transit Police and Washington Police Department participated in the investigations. 

            Bail was set at $60,000 fro Roman and $15,000 for Coleman.