Authorities: 2 Men Caught Trying to Sell Heroin, Pot

Two men were arrested last week after they were found with heroin and marijuana, as well as cash and paraphernalia, when they arrived at a hotel on Route 22 in Bridgewater.

Nicholas Merritt, 23, of North Carolina, was charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, obstruction of the administration of law and possession of drug paraphernalia. Antoine Tarver, 23, of Piscataway, was charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, detectives received information that someone would arrive with heroin at a hotel on Route 22 around 11:05 p.m. Because of that, Soriano said, detectives with the Somerset County Narcotics and Organized Crime Task Force, with the , set up surveillance at the hotel, and saw Merritt and Tarver arrive.

Soriano said detectives approached the defendants as they walked toward the hotel entrance, and, as they identified themselves, Merritt ran. While following him, Soriano said, detectives saw him discard heroin.

When Merritt was caught, Soriano said, they found 154 folds of heroin on his person as well as on the ground near his feet. In addition, Soriano said, plastic baggies were discovered on his person.

Tarver was arrested as well, Soriano said, and $248 was found on his person.

Soriano said the K-9 unit responded to the scene as well and detected narcotics inside the vehicle the two defendants had driven to the hotel in.

A warrant was issued for the vehicle, Soriano said, and detectives found about 357 bags of heroin, one-quarter pound of marijuana, a cell phone and a box of rubber bands.

Soriano said the seized heroin had a street value of $10,220, and the marijuana had a street value of $1,250.

Both Merritt and Tarver were lodged in Somerset County Jail with bail set at $75,000 each, cash only.