More Than 600 Ecstasy Pills, Stolen Gun Seized in Major Montclair Drug Bust
What happened
Where it happened
- Richland County, South Carolina.
What remains unclear
- What started as a drug investigation in Montclair ended with detectives uncovering far more than just narcotics.
- After a month-long investigation, authorities say they seized more than 600 suspected ecstasy pills, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, a stolen loaded handgun, thousands of dollars in suspected drug proceeds, and a vehicle while arresting two men.
- According to the Essex County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began on June 8 after Montclair police received information about an alleged drug distribution operation in the township.
What started as a drug investigation in Montclair ended with detectives uncovering far more than just narcotics.
After a month-long investigation, authorities say they seized more than 600 suspected ecstasy pills, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, a stolen loaded handgun, thousands of dollars in suspected drug proceeds, and a vehicle while arresting two men.
According to the Essex County Sheriff's Office, the investigation began on June 8 after Montclair police received information about an alleged drug distribution operation in the township.
Detectives from the Montclair Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff's Office launched a joint investigation, conducting surveillance that allegedly identified Jason M. Granderson carrying out repeated drug transactions near 18 Mission Street in Montclair.
Investigators later tracked Granderson between the Montclair location and his home in West Orange, leading to court-approved search warrants for both properties.
On July 1, members of the Essex County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Narcotics, Tactical Response Team, and the Montclair Police Department executed the warrants.
Authorities say the searches uncovered 612 suspected MDMA (ecstasy) pills, approximately 10.8 grams of crack cocaine, 3 grams of cocaine, 214 grams of suspected marijuana, a loaded .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun reported stolen from Richland County, South Carolina, about $2,841 believed to be drug proceeds, and a vehicle valued at roughly $12,000.
Granderson was arrested at his West Orange residence and now faces 16 criminal charges, including narcotics distribution, distributing drugs near school and public property, possessing a firearm while committing a drug offense, and receiving stolen property.
A second suspect, Quadee Lapread, was arrested at the Montclair location and is charged with narcotics distribution, including distribution within 500 feet of public property and within 1,000 feet of school property.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges or arrests have not been ruled out.
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