EHC Drug Raid

MAYS LANDING – Two Egg Harbor City men have been arrested and charged with multiple narcotics offenses, following search warrant executions that recovered drugs, weapons and money, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Joshua Cortes

On May 8, 2019, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs Guns and Narcotics completed a long term investigation into narcotics trafficking by 30 year-old Steven Martinez. The case culminated in the execution of several search warrants on May 8, 2019 and May 9, 2019. Those search warrants resulted in the recovery of approximately 25 pounds of Marijuana, 6,750 bags of packaged heroin, 3 ounces of unpackaged heroin, 1 ounce of cocaine, one handgun, multiple high capacity magazines, hollow point ammunition and approximately $52,000.00 United States Currency.

Steven Martinez

As a result of the investigation Martinez and Joshua Cortes, 25, were arrested and charged with the following offenses:

Steven Martinez:

1. 2C: 35-5B(1) Possession with the intent distribute heroin- 1st Degree
2. 2C: 35-4 Operate a drug production facility used for the manufacturing of controlled dangerous substances- 1st Degree
3. 2C: 39-7B(1)- Possession of a weapon by a prohibited person – 2nd Degree
4. 2C: 39-4.1A- Unlawful possession of a weapon- 2nd Degree
5. 2C: 35-5A(1)- Possession with the intent to distribute Marijuana- 2nd Degree
6. 2C: 5-2A (1)- Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances- 2nd Degree
7. 2C:21-25A- Money Laundering/ possess property (approximately $52,000.00) deprived from criminal activity and utilize in furtherance of illegal narcotics transactions- 3rd Degree
8. 2C: 24-4- Endangering the welfare of a child- 2nd Degree
9. 2C:35-4.1C- Maintaining a fortified structure for the manufacturing, distribution or possession of controlled dangerous substances- 3rd Degree
10. 2C: 35-10A (1)- Possession of heroin- 3rd Degree
11. 2C: 35-10A (3)- Possession of Marijuana- 4th Degree

Joshua Cortes:

1. 2C:35-5A (1)- Possession with the intent to distribute Marijuana- 2nd Degree
2. 2C:35-5-2A (1)- Conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances- 2nd Degree
3. 2C:35-10A (3)- Possession of Marijuana- 4th Degree

“These arrests and the confiscation of this load of narcotics, weapons, and money represents a small victory for our community. Had this operation been allowed to continue to operate uninterrupted, 6,750 bags of heroin would have reached every municipality in our county and would have had a significant impact on an untold number of lives of addicts, their family members, and the many faceless victims of drug abuse. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners are committed to making our community safer,” Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said.

The following agencies assisted with the execution of the search warrants:
Mullica Township Police Department, Egg Harbor City Police Department, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office and the Pleasantville Police Department

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy represents the state in this matter. A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, 2019.

***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ***
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Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

https://www.acpo.org/2-men-arrested-on-drugs-weapons-charges-following-drug-trafficking-investigation/?fbclid=IwAR35toRry0EjNcB7AbTJD2Oeawv1BpF9g5Q7i_vQGNn9HIzO94pdSz8JTJ0