MARCH 1, 2023

NEWS RELEASE

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Police Department Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather announced the arrest of Anthony L. Banks, age 35, of Twain Road, North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force conducted a two month narcotic investigation into the distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) from a local hotel located on Cedar Grove Lane in Somerset, New Jersey. On Monday, February 27, 2023, Anthony L. Banks, the subject of the two month narcotic investigation, was arrested by Task Force Officers as he exited the undisclosed hotel without incident. A Superior Court ordered search warrant of defendant Banks hotel room yielded in the seizure of a quantity of suspected cocaine (over ½ ounce), suspected heroin (under ½ ounce), along with a quantity of controlled prescription pills and fentanyl pills. The investigation revealed that defendant Banks was utilizing the hotel room to store, package and distribute the illegal narcotics.

Prosecutor McDonald stated defendant Banks was charged with 1st Degree Maintaining a CDS Production Facility, 2nd Degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute CDS (cocaine), and three (3) counts of Third Degree Possession of CDS. Defendant Banks was processed at the Franklin Township Police Department and later lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending his court date in this matter.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Fodor, and Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.