Bust nets real and synthetic marijuana plants

HAMILTON — A multiagency narcotic investigation ended last week in Hamilton, netting three arrests and the seizure of synthetic marijuana and marijuana plants in two separate raids.

The first raid took place on Sept. 17 when officers executed a warrant on a home in the first block of Fifth Avenue, where a search of the backyard revealed 14 marijuana plants. Officers seized the plants which, according to the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit Sgt. Robert Crusen, could sell for $8,000 after harvesting.

After the plants were seized an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Cedric D. Alston, who was not home at the time of the search. According to the release Alston was located and charged the following day.

According to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, numerous complaints were lodged with the Hamilton police and the prosecutors office in the last few months regarding the sale of synthetic marijuana at the Getty Gas Station in the 1200 block of Route 33.

Based on that information an investigation was launched and undercover officers made purchases from the Getty and search warrants were obtained.

The search warrants were executed on Sept. 20 and 25 packets of synthetic pot in assorted varieties were located in a plastic bag behind the counter. Additionally $2,843 was seized from a safe. It was determined that the synthetic pot was being sold for $20 per packet.

According to the prosecutors office two Nottingham Way residents, Muhammad Ghuman, 62 and Muhammad Ikram, 20 were arrested and charged. At the time of their arrest, the pair was in possession of $883 in cash.

All three arrested during the raids were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute. Additionally Ghuman and Ikram were charged with distribution and Alston was also charged with possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park. Ghuman and Ikram were released on their own recognizance. Alston had his bail set at $100,000.

Agencies involved in the investigation were the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Hamilton and Ewing Police Departments and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecutor’s office noted that despite being charged, a defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.