Cranford traffic stop leads to arrest of Monmouth County man with gun and drugs
CRANFORD, NJ – A 41-year-old Monmouth County man was arrested early Saturday after Cranford police found him carrying a loaded handgun and a large quantity of drugs during a routine traffic stop near the Garden State Parkway.
Around 12:46 a.m. on August 16, Officer Liam Duffy pulled over a black 2015 Honda for an equipment violation on North Avenue at the Garden State Parkway Northbound interchange. Officer Gianna Ricerca responded as backup.
During the investigation, Officer Duffy recovered a loaded Canik 9mm semi-automatic handgun with hollow-nose bullets, along with more than 200 folds of heroin, over 60 packages of crack cocaine, prescription pills, and several pressed pills believed to be MDMA.
The driver, identified as James A. Sabb of Keansburg, was taken into custody without incident.
Sabb is facing a long list of charges, including second-degree possession of a firearm while conspiring to commit a CDS violation, possession of hollow-nose ammunition, possession of a large-capacity magazine, intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and possession of MDMA, among others. He was also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.
At the time of his arrest, Sabb was committed to Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Cranford Police Chief Nazzaro praised the work of Officer Duffy, stating that the removal of the firearm and drugs from circulation was the direct result of his training and professionalism.
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Key Points
- James A. Sabb, 41, of Keansburg, arrested during Cranford traffic stop August 16
- Officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, heroin, crack cocaine, and MDMA
- Sabb jailed on weapons and CDS distribution charges pending detention hearing