The New Jersey State Police have arrested six men and one woman for various drug and firearms offenses after a year-long cooperative investigation with the Trenton Police Department.

In September of 2019, the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit, Opioid Enforcement Task Force, and the Trenton Police Department began surveilling multiple individuals suspected of dealing narcotics in the Trenton and Ewing Township areas of Mercer County.

During the investigation, detectives arrested the suspects at various times and locations. Throughout the operation, the Ewing Township Police Department provided assistance on numerous occasions. Most notably, on Friday, July 10, 2020, a Ewing Township patrol officer who was assisting with the operation was dragged by Daniel Peyton when he fled in a Chevrolet Impala after being stopped by detectives on Stokes Avenue in Ewing Township. Peyton was later apprehended in the area of Shelton Avenue and Chelmsford Court.

As a result of the year-long operation, detectives seized more than 4 kilograms of cocaine, 1 bundle of heroin, 30 grams of marijuana, a 9mm handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, a 9 mm assault weapon, 2 high capacity magazines, hollow point ammunition, a 2016 Toyota Highlander, a 2010 BMW X5, and more than $313,000 cash.

“We will never cease in our collaborative efforts to stop the drug dealers who are fueling addiction and violence in Trenton,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. “At the same time, we are committed to combating the corrosive influence of these criminals on a second front by working with the community to develop programs for the young people of Trenton that will help them choose a strong and healthy course in life.”

“This operation targeted individuals who were profiting off of addiction and violence and whose actions stood in stark contrast to the countless members of the community who work tirelessly every day to strengthen and build safer neighborhoods,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We will continue to aggressively target drug dealers and violent criminals, but we will also continue to work with our community partners to implement

educational and outreach programs to stay connected to our youth who far too often fall victim to addiction and gun violence.”

“This case demonstrates what we can achieve when we bring the full weight of local and state law enforcement against individuals who target our communities with addiction and violence,” said Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley. “Trenton residents deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods, and I commend the officers and detectives who worked tirelessly on their behalf by ridding our streets of multiple firearms and thousands of doses of dangerous narcotics.”

The following were charged:

David Craig, 32, Trenton, N.J.

  • eluding
  • unlawful possession of a handgun
  • certain persons not to possess a firearm
  • possession of hollow point ammunition
  • possession of cocaine
  • possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
  • possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense
  • possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park

Davon Craig, 27, Trenton, N.J.

  • unlawful possession of a handgun
  • certain persons not to possess a firearm
  • possession of hollow point ammunition possession of cocaine
  • possession with the intent to distribute cocaine
  • possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense
  • possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public park
  • money laundering

Davae Craig, 31, Trenton, N.J.

  • possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
  • possession of heroin
  • possession of a high capacity magazine
  • money laundering

Deesade Meyers, 27, Ewing N.J.

  • unlawful possession of an assault weapon
  • unlawful possession of a high capacity magazine
  • money laundering

Daniel Sabree, 46, Bristol, PA

  • with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana

Daniel Peyton, 55, Westampton, N.J.

  • possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
  • money laundering
  • aggravated assault (charged by Ewing Township Police Department)
  • eluding (charged by Ewing Township Police Department)

Wayne Bessant, 39, Trenton, N.J.

  • possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
  • money laundering

The case is being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice. Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Editor in Chief of Peterson’s Breaking News of Trenton, founded in 2012.