Drugs and gun will be difficult to tie to Atlantic City man, lawyer says

It will be difficult for police to link an Atlantic City man to drugs found inside a car and an apartment, his attorney said Thursday.

Omar Butcher, 25, was in court for a detention hearing related to the Dec. 14 arrest of him and Nia Lovelace, also 25, after a motor vehicle stop.

Police charged both after finding 110 bags of heroin and a stolen gun during searches of Butcher’s car and a nearby residence.

But defense attorney Ed Weinstock said that only a partially smoked joint could potentially be tied to Butcher. The drugs inside the car were on Lovelace, he said. And the residence also belongs to Lovelace, who gave police permission to search.

Lovelace was in court during the brief proceeding, having already been released. She has no record.

Arguments will have to wait, however, as Weinstock requested a postponement for the detention hearing, which is now set for Jan. 4.

Butcher’s charges also include possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.