August 16, 2024
A month-long investigation into cocaine distribution in Hamilton Township culminated recently with one arrest and the seizure of $1.1 million in narcotics, five handguns and $65,000 in cash, Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton reported.
James Nalbone Jr., 35, of Hamilton, was arrested on August 7, 2024, as a result of the investigation conducted by the members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ewing, Hamilton and Trenton police. Detectives detained Nalbone without incident at his residence on Byron Avenue and executed a search warrant. Sgt. Tom Paglione utilized his K-9 partner, Indy, who gave positive indications for narcotic odor at multiple locations within the premises and detectives located 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. Assorted drug paraphernalia, including scales, packaging materials, and hydraulic presses used to re-rock cocaine into kilograms for distribution, was also seized.
A search of Nalbone’s Lincoln MKZ produced another handgun and paperwork indicating he was renting space at a nearby storage facility. Detectives again used a narcotics canine and were able to obtain a search warrant after Indy gave a positive indication at a storage unit rented by Nalbone on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. Inside of the storage unit, detectives discovered an additional 12 kilograms of cocaine, 20 pounds of marijuana and a large amount of edible marijuana.
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 Acting Prosecutor Hilton, the total street value of the confiscated drugs is $1,102,500. The cocaine is valued at approximately $630,000; the marijuana is valued at approximately $450,000; and the oxycodone is valued at approximately $22,500.
Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
James Nalbone Jr., 35, of Hamilton