Barnegat Man Arrested in Newark Drug Bust

A Barnegat man was one of three arrested in Newark Wednesday following a drug bust by the city's Fugitive Apprehension Section, authorities announced.

Zainah Muhammad, 51, was arrested along with Corey Taylor, 30, of Newark, after police allegedly witnessed a narcotics transaction in front of 15 Salem St. at approximately 8 a.m., according to Sgt. Ronald Glover, Newark Police Department spokesperson. Police seized 32 decks of heroin and a loaded .380 caliber weapon from Taylor and charged him with nearly half a dozen narcotics-related offenses and unlawful possession of a firearm. Muhammad was charged with possession of heroin.

Detectives also arrested 49-year-old Sadina Simmons, of East Orange, after she allegedly attempted to buy a deck of heroin from the officers outside 15 Salem St. Simmons was charged with wandering with the intent to purchase heroin.

"Despite the team's primary function is the apprehension of wanted fugitives, their training and keen observations drew their attention to this narcotics transaction which ultimately resulted in the arrest of a dangerous criminal and the recovery of a firearm," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio in a statement. "Every firearm recovered from our streets is a victory for the police and the community alike."