PHILLIPSBURG, NJ (Warren County) – Two people were arrested and police seize more than $100K in drugs in what they described as the “largest seizure of illegal drugs from one single dealer operating and distributing illegal drugs within Warren County.”
Charlie L. Cole, 44, and Shakiera Armstrong, 31, both of the 200 block of Mercer St in Phillipsburg, were arrested and charged on Oct. 26 after an investigation into narcotics trafficking within Phillipsburg, the prosecutor’s office siad.
Pursuant to that investigation, a search warrant was executed on their home and as a result of the search, significant quantities of various controlled dangerous substances were discovered, authorities said.
The substances include approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 ounces of cocaine, 42 bricks of heroin (approximately 2,000 individual doses), and 4½ pounds of marijuana, the prosecutor’s office said.
In addition, a loaded .40 caliber handgun was discovered adjacent to the controlled dangerous substances along with $14,000 in cash. The street value of the narcotics seized is over $100,000, authorities said.
“Mr. Cole is believed and alleged to be the leader of the largest narcotics trafficking network in Warren County. This seizure represents what is believed to be the largest seizure of illegal drugs from one single dealer operating and distributing illegal drugs within the county,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Cole and Armstrong were each charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, second-degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of firearm during a CDS offense.
Cole was additionally charged with first-degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network.
Both are being held at the Warren County Jail pending a hearing.
Leader of a narcotics trafficking network carries a maximum potential sentence of life in prison. First-degree charges carry a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Second-degree charges carry a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum potential sentence of 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, Phillipsburg Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly conducted the investigation.
