Crack cocaine arrests in Mendham Twp.

MENDHAM TWP. – A pair of unrelated motor vehicle stops let to two arrests for possession of crack cocaine last week, police Lt. Ross Johnson said.

At about 10:36 p.m. Wednesday, Sgt. Matthew Ambrosi stopped a vehicle for tailgating on Route 24 near Corey Lane, police said.

A K-9 Unit was called to the scene and indicated there were narcotics in the center console of the vehicle police said.

The driver, Jermaine Johnson of East Orange, consented to a search of the vehicle and Ambrosi and other officers located a hidden compartment containing narcotics, police said.

Police found 10 bags of crack cocaine and six bags of marijuana, all packaged for distribution, police said.

Jermaine Johnson was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Johnson was released after posting $10,000 bail, police said.

At about 5:16 p.m. Friday, Patrolman Robert Kalweit stopped a vehicle for a cell phone violation.

Kalweit detected the odor of raw marijuana during the traffic stop, and called for a K-9 Unit to assist, police said.

The K-9 Unit indicated there were narcotics within the vehicle and the driver, Alton Pridgen of Dunellen, consented to a search, police said.

Police found small bags of cocaine packaged for sale, one large bag of cocaine containing an “8 ball,” one plastic bag containing crack cocaine, and a bag containing marijuana, police said.

Pridgen was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of crack cocaine.