An Atlantic City man with a history of drug and gun charges was arrested with both Tuesday, according to new charges.
Special Investigation Section Detectives Brian Hambrecht and Ermindo Marsini were patrolling the beach block of Ocean Avenue just before 10 p.m., in response to residents' complaints about drugs there, when they became suspicious of two men as they got out of a vehicle, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
Alexander Botchway and Christopher Tolbert Jr. were found in possession a variety of drugs, according to the charges. A loaded handgun was also found inside the vehicle.
The detectives recovered a total of 20 grams of cocaine, 150 bags of heroin, Fentanyl, and Oxycodone pills, Fair said.
Botchway, 27, was just released from prison in April, after serving a parole violation, records show. He has served time for drugs, guns and an armed robbery.
In December, Botchway was shot in the hand in June. A Pleasantville man was charged in that case.
That same month, he was charged with possession of illegal substances after he was found with suboxone and heroin at the Mercer County Correctional Center, NJ.com reported at the time.
He is now charged with four counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute, along with one count each of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense and possession of a weapon by a convicted person.
Tolbert, 29, of Egg Harbor Township, was charged with two counts each of possession of a CDS, along with the same weapons offenses as Botchway.
Tolbert's criminal history dates to at least 2007, when he was charged with simple assault.
Both males were taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Anyone with information about this incident or drug activity is asked to call Atlantic City police at 609-347-5858 or Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234. Information may also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.
