Eight men were arrested within 25 minutes as part of Atlantic City’s pro-active drug enforcement, police said.
Officers Eric Evans and Christopher Dodson saw two men conducting a drug deal in the area of Tennessee and Central avenues at about 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
When the men split up, the officers stopped David Mitchell, who had a bag of heroin in his hand. He was arrested without incident.
Responding officers were given a description of the other man, later identified as Jordan Wilson, according to the report.
When Officers Valmir Loga and Jeffrey Hannon tried to stop Wilson in the 1400 block of Atlantic Avenue, he fled, Fair said.
Wilson into the Save-A-Lot food store, then out the back where officers started to close in and he surrendered, according to the report.
As he ran, Wilson discarded 39 bags of heroin that were recovered, Fair said.
At 3:34 p.m., Detectives Jefferson Rivera and Will Herrerias were conducting surveillance in the area of South Carolina and Atlantic avenues, when they saw Stanton Callender make three separate drug deals, Fair said.
The three customers — Lenny Stewart, Jorge Villafane and Michael Regan — all were arrested with heroin on them, according to the report. Callender was found in possession of 120 bags of heroin.
At 3:55 p.m., Detectives Darrin Lorady, Alberto Valles and Nick Berardis saw a drug deal in the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue.
Richard Tomasko was found in possession of marijuana and taken into custody.
Jaquise White pulled away from Lorady and fled on Indiana Avenue, according to the report.
White then tried to run across Pacific Avenue while the light was red, and was struck by a vehicle as he stepped into the street.
He was arrested and taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus for his injuries.
White was found in possession of nine bags of heroin and 18 grams of marijuana.
Callender, 67, of Atlantic City was charged with possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone and an active warrant.
Villafane, 57, of Atlantic City, was charged with possession of CDS and an active warrant.
White, 22, of Atlantic City, was charged with two counts each of possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone. He was also charged with a single count of obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, and had active warrants.
All three were taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Wilson, 19, of Atlantic City, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone, obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
Mitchell, 42, of Seaville, was charged with possession.
Regan, 52, of Berlin, was charged with possession of CDS and an active warrant.
Stewart, 51, of Atlantic City, was charged with possession of CDS.
Tomasko, 31, of Mays Landing was charged with possession of CDS.
The five men were released on summonses.
Anyone with information about the distribution of narcotics is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858. Information may also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.
