VILLAS – A resident was arrested on Wednesday, May 29, after a police search warrant resulted in the seizure of drugs, a large amount of cash and an automatic handgun.
Sergio Jimenez, 30, of Langs Avenue, Villas, was charged with first-degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances and with firearms offenses, according to a release issued by Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Lower Township Police Chief Kevin Lewis.
The Prosecutor’s Office’s Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force concluded a cooperative narcotics investigation into the distribution of cocaine by Jimenez and on May 29 executed a search warrant in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Cape May County Regional SWAT Team, Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and the Lower Township Police Department. Included in the search warrants were the person of Jimenez, his residence and multiple motor vehicles.
As a result of the searches, law enforcement personnel seized approximately 10 ounces of cocaine; approximately 1 pound of marijuana; more than 50 Oxycontin pills; a .40-caliber Glock 22 handgun with a high-capacity magazine containing 15 rounds of hollow-point ammunition; approximately $85,000 in U.S. currency, various calibers of ammunition and drug paraphernalia.
Jimenez was charged with one count each of first-degree maintaining a facility for manufacturing CDSes; first-degree possession of cocaine; first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine; third-degree possession of Oxycontin; third-degree possession with intent to distribute Oxycontin; fourth-degree possession of marijuana; third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana; second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense; fourth-degree possession of a high-capacity magazine; fourth-degree possession of hollow-point ammunition; second-degree certain person not to possess a weapon; second-degree certain person not to possess ammunition; fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and third-degree money laundering.
He was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center pending court proceedings. Individuals convicted of first-degree crimes are subject to a prison term of 10 to 20 years; those convicted of second-degree crimes are subject to a term of five to 10 years.
Sutherland urged citizens to report any information regarding illegal drug activity or any criminal activity to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, anonymously on the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips, to the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net (click on anonymous tip) or to the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
