Published: September 20, 2023, 06:40h. 

Last Updated: September 20, 2023, 06:40h.

An alleged drug dealer was apprehended at Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort with 68 bags of suspected heroin, a loaded gun, and dangerous ammunition, resulting in her arrest.

Jadairah James, a 27-year-old from Atlantic City, faces several charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of a weapon while committing a controlled dangerous substances (CDS) offense, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.

James has been booked at the Atlantic County Jail, and local prosecutors are handling her case.

Regarding the charges, James has yet to enter a plea, but if convicted, she could face a lengthy prison sentence.

The incident unfolded around 9 p.m., when a casino security guard witnessed James displaying a gun near the casino entrance.

After leaving the building, James entered a parked taxi at the valet area. However, authorities intervened and prevented the taxi from leaving.

The casino’s security team immediately alerted three Atlantic City police officers, namely Bao Pham, Brandon Jackson, and Kyle Riordan, who were on patrol near the boardwalk gaming property, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

The officers stopped the cab, questioned James, and upon inspecting the back seat of the taxi, they discovered the loaded handgun, individual bags of heroin, and various ammunition, as reported by Atlantic City radio station, WPG.

Hollow-Point Bullets

Among the seized ammunition were hollow-point bullets, known for their increased lethality due to their ability to expand and cause serious or fatal injuries upon impact.

Police did not provide specific details about any modifications made to the firearm. However, altering a gun’s serial number is a common practice to hinder law enforcement’s ability to trace the weapon.

Despite possessing a firearm, James did not discharge any shots at the casino.

It remains unclear whether James sold or attempted to sell drugs within the casino premises.

The weight of the seized heroin and its street value were not disclosed by the police. On a national scale, the average price of 0.1 grams of heroin ranges between $15 and $20, according to online records.

Authorities confiscated the drugs, weapon, and ammunition, which will likely serve as crucial evidence in James’s pending court case.

Prior Drug Arrest

Upon conducting a background check, officers discovered that James had previously been arrested for a drug charge in Atlantic City back in June, as reported by BreakingAC.com, a local news site.

James was released from custody for the prior charge on a summons to appear in local court.