WOODBINE – Three people were arrested on drug distribution and weapons charges Monday, Dec. 18, after a raid on a home and vehicle turned up methamphetamine, cocaine, guns and ammunition, officials said.
Federal, state and county authorities worked together in executing a search warrant for a home in the 600 block of Adams Avenue, which led them to arrest Jamal Matthews, Tyrone Brown and Azanna Shelton, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announced.
During the bust, law enforcement personnel found three ounces of suspected methamphetamine, a half-ounce of suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, an AR-15-style rifle, a 9mm handgun, high-capacity magazines and ammunition, authorities said.
According to a Dec. 19 release issued by the county prosecutor, Brown, 28, and Shelton, 26, were each charged with second-degree possession with intent to distribute meth, third-degree possession of meth, second-degree conspiracy to possess more than a half-ounce of meth, fourth-degree distribution of drug paraphernalia, second-degree possession of an assault firearm, second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a drug offense, fourth-degree possession of a high-capacity magazine, third-degree possession with intent to distribute meth within 1,000 feet of a public place, second-degree possession with intent to distribute meth within 500 feet of a public place, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Matthews, 26, the owner of the car, was charged under the same statutes as Brown and Shelton, but on certain charges for which his two co-defendants only face one count each, Matthews is charged with two counts: Of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a drug offense, fourth-degree possessing a high-capacity magazine, third-degree possession with intent to distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of a public place, and second-degree possession with intent to distribute drugs within 500 feet of a public place, according to the prosecutor’s release.
Additionally, Matthews is charged with third-degree intent to distribute cocaine, third-degree possession of cocaine, and a second-degree charge related to handgun possession, the release announced.
Matthews and Brown were jailed, while Shelton was released with a court summons, according to the release. The second-degree counts can carry a state prison term of five to 10 years upon conviction, the prosecutor’s release said.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the county sheriff’s K-9 unit, State Police and the county SWAT team participated in the raid, the release said.
Sutherland asked the public to report any information regarding illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity to his office by calling 609-465-1135, anonymously on his office’s website at cmcpo.tips, to the county sheriff by logging onto cmcsheriff.net and clicking on anonymous tip, or to the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
