Essex County Police Seize 'Ghost Gun' In Newark: Official

Newark NJ

19 November, 2021

4:28 PM

Description

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County police seized a "ghost gun" and 64 ounces of "liquid opioids" during an arrest in Newark earlier this week, authorities said. Police with the Essex County Sheriff's Office said they saw a 2022 Alfa Romeo SUV driving erratically in the area of South 15th Street and 9th Avenue on Wednesday evening. Sheriff's officers followed the driver – later identified as Naazir Cook McDougald, 22, of Newark – to the 200-block of Bergen Street, where he parked the vehicle. McDougald displayed a temporary license tag and said the car was a rental, but couldn't produce a valid rental agreement, vehicle registration or insurance papers, authorities said. When McDougald was directed to check the car for the missing paperwork, he opened the glove compartment and officers saw a 9mm handgun. Police said there were also four bottles with 64 ounces of unspecified "liquid opioids" in the center console of the car. McDougald allegedly attempted to flee the scene and was arrested, authorities said. After examining the firearm, police determined it was a "ghost gun," which was loaded with a hollow-point bullet in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine, authorities said. Police charged McDougald with possession of a firearm without permit, possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, possession of any hollow nose bullets possession of a firearm while attempting to distribute CDS, distributing prescription drugs, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public school and resisting arrest by force. McDougald was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, where he awaits a bail hearing, police said. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said that the prevalence of so-called ghost guns has increased in recent years, especially in jurisdictions like New Jersey where gun control regulations make it difficult for ordinary residents to obtain guns legally. "Ghost guns are not serialized and untraceable firearms," Fontoura explained. "Their individual parts that can be bought online in pieces and assembled at home, much like you would with a model airplane or a bird feeder. Ghost guns are inexpensive, easy to assemble and you don't have to go through any background check of any kind." Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]