Man, Woman Arrested on Drug Charges in Bridgewater

A Linden resident and an Elizabeth resident were arrested Wednesday and charged with several drug offenses after they were found at the Somerset Shopping Center in possession of drugs, according to a release from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Jasmine Graham, 25, of Elizabeth, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and hindering apprehension. Joseph Smith, 26, of Linden, was charged with wandering with the purpose of obtaining or selling controlled substances.

According to Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force were given information Tuesday that at 12:20 p.m., a male would be operating a black truck in the Somerset Shopping Center parking lot, accompanied by a female.

The tip, Soriano said, informed detectives that the two, later identified as Graham and Smith, would have ecstasy.

Soriano said detectives set up surveillance near the parking lot, and saw Smith driving a black vehicle with Graham in the front passenger seat. Detectives stopped the two, Soriano said, and advised them of the narcotics investigation.

According to Soriano, Graham gave two false names before Smith gave permission to search the vehicle. Graham allowed for a search of her person as well, Soriano said, but also turned over 100 ecstasy pills and a bag of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

The ecstasy has a street value of $2,000, Soriano said.

Graham was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $100,000 cash or bond.

Smith was charged and released on his own recognizance.