Detectives with the Atlantic City Police Department continue to do their part to make the World's Play Ground a better place; four people were arrested on Wednesday following separate investigations.

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In response to continuing complaints from the public and business owners concerning illegal drug deals and quality of life issues, officers were hard at work in the areas of the 1500 to 1700 blocks of Atlantic Avenue and South Carolina and Baltic Avenues.

According to authorities,

• At 5:28 PM, Sgt. Christopher LoDico was conducting surveillance in the area of the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue when he observed Rafi Neal and Michael McLaughlin taking part in suspected drug deals inside a store. As the two left the store, they were stopped.

Neal was ultimately found in possession of approximately 5 grams of suspected heroin and 7 grams of suspected crack cocaine. Neal was also in possession of $500 in US currency believed to be proceeds of narcotic sales. McLaughlin was found in possession of approximately 3 grams of suspected heroin. Both men were taken into custody without incident.

 

1700 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
1700 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
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• About three hours later, officers were conducting surveillance in the area of South Carolina and Baltic Avenues when they observed two men in a suspected drug deal.

One of the males, Timothy Koons, was subsequently stopped by the officers and found to be in possession of a single wax fold of suspected heroin and a glass pipe commonly used to inhale CDS. Koons was placed in custody without incident.

South Carolina and Baltic Avenues in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
South Carolina and Baltic Avenues in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
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• Then at 9:45 PM, police say they saw two more men in a suspected drug deal in the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue.

Kamil Degraffenreidt was subsequently stopped ... and found in possession of approximately 3 grams of suspected crack cocaine and $152 in US currency, believed to be proceeds of narcotic sales. The other male, Andrew Bechard, was stopped by Officer Jesses Oliver-Logan and found in possession of approximately 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine. Both males were taken into custody without incident.

 

1500 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
1500 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Google Maps
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Facing charges

ARRESTED: Rafi Neal, 39, of Atlantic City
CHARGES: Possession of CDS (2 counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (2 counts), possession with the intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public building, and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 1,000 feet of a school

ARRESTED: Mark McLaughlin, 32, of Atlantic City
CHARGES: Possession of CDS

ARRESTED: Timothy Koons, 47, of Atlantic City
CHARGES: Possession of CDS and possession of CDS paraphernalia

ARRESTED: Kamil Degraffenreidt, 24, of Atlantic City
CHARGES: Possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute CDS

ARRESTED: Andrew Bechard, 40, of Atlantic City
CHARGES: Possession of CDS

All arrested individuals were released on summonses pending future court dates.

Neal was found to have active warrants for his arrest and was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Help police

Anyone with information about the distribution of illegal drugs is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department at (609) 347-5858.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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