$1.1M In Drugs, 5 Handguns Seized In Mercer Co. Bust, Prosecutor Says

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – Following a month-long investigation, a Hamilton resident was arrested, and $1.1 million in narcotics, five handguns, and $65,000 in cash were seized, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton said.

James Nalbone Jr., 35, was arrested on Aug. 7 without incident at his residence on Byron Avenue, authorities said.

Sgt. Tom Paglione and his K-9 partner, Indy, drugs all over the home and detectives took six kilograms of suspected cocaine, 130 pounds of suspected marijuana, two thousand suspected oxycodone pills, three handguns and a defaced ghost gun, and approximately $65,000 in cash, Hilton said.

Drug paraphernalia, including scales, packaging materials, and hydraulic presses used to re-rock cocaine into kilograms for distribution, was also seized, according to Hilton.

After searching Nalbone’s Lincoln MKZ, another handgun and paperwork indicating he was renting space at a nearby storage facility were found.

Indy was taken to the storage unit on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton where he sniffed out more drugs. Inside the storage unit, detectives discovered an additional 12 kilograms of cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana and a large amount of edible marijuana, Hilton said.

Nalbone was charged with 18 narcotics and weapons offenses of various degrees and one count of money laundering.

The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.

According to Hilton, the total street value of the confiscated drugs is $1,102,500 - the cocaine is valued at approximately $630,000; marijuana at approximately $450,000; and oxycodone at around $22,500.

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