Four arrested, drugs seized in separate Atlantic City searches

One Atlantic City store was apparently selling more than produce. Atlantic City police raided the 24 Seven Food Mart along with a residence this week, in two separate searches that yielded drugs, money and a a handgun. Faheem Tariq and Clarence Small were targeted in an investigation at the market across from the public library on Atlantic Avenue, Sgt. Kevin Fair said. A search of the store at midnight Thursday by the Special Investigations Section found 26 grams of cocaine, 87 bags of heroin and prescription pills. Tariq worked as a clerk at the store, and police found $2,006 believed to be proceeds he and Small collected from drug sales. The month long investigation was led by Detective Will Herrerias. Tariq, 32, of Egg Harbor Township, and Small, 34, of Pleasantville, were charged with four counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute and possession within 500 feet of a public zone. They also were charged with one count each of conspiracy. They were released on summonses. At about 9:30 a.m. Friday, detectives searched a home on the 700 block of Maryland Avenue. Kenneth Landis Jr. — the target of the three-week investigation led by Detective William Warner — was found inside and arrested, Fair said. Detectives found a loaded handgun, 106 grams of marijuana and $503 believed to be drug proceeds. While police were at the home, the person leasing it came home. Yanira Patel, 43, was arrested after she was found in possession of heroin. Landis, 19, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of CDS, possession with the intent to distribute and possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense. He is currently in the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Landis was arrested in June, after he led an Atlantic City officer on a foot chase that resulted in the officer being injured. He was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice at the time, and released on a summons. Patel was charged with drug possession and released on a summons. Anyone with information about drug distribution is asked to call the Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858.  Information can also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.