For Immediate Release:  July 2, 2021

The Atlantic City Police Department announces the arrest of five men and the recovery of two handguns and drugs due to proactive enforcement surrounding recent violence in the City.

On June 25, 2021, detectives of the Special Investigations Section were conducting a surveillance operation in the area of the 1600 block of Arctic Avenue.  During the operation, detectives recovered two loaded handguns.  One handgun was recovered hidden in a bag near a trash dumpster.  A second handgun was recovered from inside a vehicle.  An investigation led to criminal charges being filed against Richard Pugh for discarding the handgun near the dumpster and Breyon Sylvester for the handgun recovered in his car.  Neither man was arrested the night of the recoveries.  Pleasantville Police Department K9 Officer Jeffrey Venegas and his K9 partner, Titus, assisted in this investigation. 

On June 29, detectives located Sylvester along with Christian Hunter, Raishawn Simmons, and Dequay Belt on the Boardwalk.  All four men were arrested following a continuing investigation that led to the recovery of 850 bags of heroin, 110 grams of cocaine, and items consistent with distribution of narcotics. 

Pugh was located and taken into custody on July 1. 

ARRESTED:  Breyon Sylvester, 27, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of CDS, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, and possession of CDS with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.

ARRESTED:  Richard Pugh, 25, of Galloway, NJ.

CHARGES:  Unlawful possession of a weapon and certain person not to possess a weapon.

ARRESTED:  Raishawn Simmons, 20, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Possession of CDS, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone, and contempt of court.

The above three men were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED: Christian Hunter, 29, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Possession of CDS (two counts), possession of CDS with the intent to distribute (two counts), and possession of CDS with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone (two counts).

ARRESTED:  Dequay Belt, 18, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Possession of CDS, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, and possession of CDS with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.

The above two men were released on a summons with a future court date.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about the distribution of narcotics is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.

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Alert sent on 07/02/2021 at 10:10AM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

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