Brooklyn man arrested in trenton cocaine bust, $100k in drugs seized

TRENTON, N.J. — A two-month investigation by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force led to the arrest of a Brooklyn man and the seizure of $100,000 worth of cocaine, authorities announced Wednesday.

Paul Shirley, 51, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested on June 4 as part of the investigation into cocaine distribution in Trenton, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey. The investigation was conducted with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ewing, Hamilton, and Trenton police departments.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., detectives observed Shirley driving a silver Toyota Camry with New York plates near Brunswick Avenue and Race Street. Upon stopping the vehicle, Sgt. Tom Paglione noticed an open compartment in the center console, which he identified as a trap compartment commonly used to conceal narcotics.

Shirley was detained without incident. Sgt. Paglione’s K-9 partner, Indy, conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and indicated the presence of narcotics. Following the execution of a search warrant, detectives discovered approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine under the driver’s seat.

Charges filed following narcotics task force investigation

Shirley has been charged with first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and first-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. A judge ordered his release pending future court appearances after a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Marbrey stated that the estimated street value of the seized cocaine totals $100,000.

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