August 28, 2018

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – A routine traffic stop on Monday evening by Essex County sheriff’s detectives resulted in the seizure of $100,000 in cocaine and the arrest of a Newark man.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting routine quality of life operations in the city yesterday when they observed a double parked 2015 Chevrolet Suburban with New York license plates obstructing traffic at 171 Peshine Avenue.

“Our detectives pulled up behind the SUV and activated lights and siren but the vehicle did not move,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “As the officers approached the vehicle, later found to be a Uber taxi, all four windows rolled down simultaneously.”

The back seat passenger, Dawan Brown, 33, was seen attempting to hide a backpack under the front seat of the vehicle.

“One of the items concealed in the backpack, a clear plastic bag, filled with a white powdery substance, spilled onto the floor of the car,” Fontoura noted.  “Brown was removed from the car and placed under arrest.  18 additional plastic bags, totaling two kilos of cocaine, were also seized.”

Brown was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of the Belmont Runyon School and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing complex.

Brown was lodged at the county jail where he awaits a bail hearing.

The Uber driver was found to be uninvolved in a narcotics conspiracy.  He was issued a motor vehicle summons for double parking and released.