5 arrested in drug raids at city apartment complex

TRENTON -- Five alleged drug dealers who were distributing marijuana in a city high-rise, and one of whom is a known Bloods gangster, were arrested yesterday in raids, police said.

One minute before 6 a.m., city cops, county detectives, and DEA agents executed search warrants at multiple apartments in Rowan Towers on East State Street. Inside the building, police said they found and confiscated 130 grams of marijuana worth $1,300.

Among those arrested was Quardir Gurley, 20, whom police say is a member of the Sex Money Murder set of the Bloods street gang. Gurley also had with him a .357 Magnum gun, police said.

He was charged with possession of a weapon during a narcotic scheme, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent, maintaining a narcotic nuisance, possession within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession within 500 feet of a library.

Police said the raids stemmed from an investigation that began in October into marijuana trafficking at Rowan Towers. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office and county special operations supervisor put together a plan of execution that successfully took the defendants into custody, police said.

Also facing numerous drug charges are Marquita Cromwell, 24, Ronald Cromwell, 31, Michelle Boswell, 24, and Ernest McKinney, 30.

McKinney had previously served nearly one year in state prison on drug possession charges. He was released in July 2005, according to records, and then returned for nearly 10 more months behind bars starting that December.

Police ask members of the public who have any information on any suspicious activity, suspicious people, or areas where guns or drugs are being hidden to call the Trenton Police Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663, Crime Stoppers of Greater Trenton at (609) 278-8477 (TIPS), or 911.

Those witnessing drug activity in their neighborhood can call (609) 989-DRUG (3784).

Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.