Man busted with cocaine, stolen handgun

TRENTON » Barry Carney allegedly tried to hide his cocaine in a hidden compartment in his vehicle.

But following a twomonth investigation, authorities arrested Carney after finding 200 grams of powder cocaine and 10 gram of crack cocaine in the secret spot in his black GMC Acadia, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday in a press release.

On Tuesday, members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants for Carney at a residence on Liberty Street and his Acadia. Authorities seized the $10,000 worth of cocaine and the crack cocaine, which is valued at $600, from the SUV.

Police also recovered $3,430 in cash from the Acadia and a loaded H&K handgun, which was reported stolen from Washington, D.C., authorities said.

Carney, 35, of Cooper Street in Trenton, also allegedly had $2,172 of cash on him.

He is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, theft by receiving stolen property, and certain person not to possess a firearm.

During a search of the Liberty Street property, detectives located two pit bulls in the basement of the residence, prosecutors said. Animal control officers were called to secure the dogs and Carney was additionally charged with animal abandonment, authorities said.

Prosecutors seek to have Carney detained until his trial is complete.

Authorities attributed the arrest to the work of officers from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, theMercer County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Hamilton and Trenton police, under the command of the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit.