Two teens were arrested and a gun recovered by an Atlantic City officer responding to businesses’ complaints about drug activity.
Sgt. Timothy Smith was at a business in the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue at about 8:24 p.m. Thursday as part of “community contact,” which has officers reach out to businesses in response to issues.
Smith entered the store and saw two teens engaged in a drug transaction, Sgt. Paul Aristizabal said.
Quadir Cooper, 18, appeared startled when he saw the officer, and quickly retreated to the back of the store, according to the report.
The 15-year-old boy with him followed, and the two appeared to hide something behind merchandize on a store shelf, Aristizabal said.
The two were quickly detained and Smith searced the area.
A defaced handgun loaded with hollow-point ammuntion was found, along with suspected crack cocaine, Aristizabal said.
Cooper was also found with about seven grams of suspected crack cocaine.
Cooper and the juvenile were taken into custody on drug and weapons charges.
Cooper was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
The juvenile was remanded to Harbor Fields Juvenile Detention Center.
