Atlantic City’s Battle Against Drugs: Multiple Arrests and Charges

According to an Atlantic City police news release, investigators conducted surveillance in the first block of South Florida Avenue on Thursday, April 18. Four males were arrested for possessing or distributing narcotics.

Isaiah Brown, 19, of Atlantic City, was arrested after fleeing from police. After being detained, he continued to be uncooperative and battled with detectives.

Brown was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, following remarks he made to police. Police say he attempted to bite an officer and then tried to flee while handcuffed.

Police also detained Phillip Quackenbush, 59, of Atlantic City, and two males from Philadelphia, Antwain Coleman, 32, and Darrell Cherry Jr., 29. The four males were discovered with 130 vials of cocaine, 100 bags of heroin, and over $900 in cash.

Brown was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone, loitering to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Coleman was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone, loitering to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and conspiracy.

Cherry faced charges of money laundering, loitering to distribute a controlled dangerous narcotic and conspiracy. Quackenbush was charged with possessing a controlled hazardous drug.

Brown was detained at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Cherry, Coleman, and Quackenbush were all freed on summonses. In a second incident, officers went to a brawl in the 600 block of New York Avenue. An officer noticed 35-year-old Jamil Hunter of Atlantic City fleeing the scene.

Hunter refused to stop for the police, instead running through the rear door of an apartment and exiting through the front door. Hunter was unfamiliar to the residents, and they did not invite him inside their apartments.

Hunter was eventually apprehended by authorities and put into custody. He was found in possession of a minor amount of cocaine and an active arrest warrant.

Hunter was charged with possessing a controlled hazardous substance, obstructing justice, resisting arrest, burglary, and impeding apprehension. He was again detained in February 2022, after being discovered with a loaded gun and narcotics.