Operation results in seizure of stolen gun, crack cocaine, heroin and prescription pills

(Cambridge, Maryland) On Friday, September 22, 2017 between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM, members of the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack conducted a traffic safety operation for school buses and commuters transporting children to school.

During the the operation, more than 70 vehicles were stopped for various violations such as speed, distracted driving, cell phone usage while the vehicle was in motion, drivers/occupants not properly restrained by a seat belt and other violations.

Trooper Laham conducted a traffic stop at route 50 and Maryland Ave., Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland on a red Ford explorer for a seat belt violation. The driver was identified as Je’mar Gardner, 28 years of age from Cambridge, MD and the passenger was identified as Joshua Atkinson, 29 years of age from Cambridge, MD. It was learned that Gardner had an active arrest warrant. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted which resulted in the seizure of a 22 caliber revolver hand gun, several bags of crack cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia and prescription pills. It was learned that the 22 caliber revolver was reported stolen. Gardner and Atkinson were charged accordingly and taken before a Dorchester County District Court Commissioner. Gardner was held with no bond and Atkinson was released on his own recognizance.

The Maryland State Police Easton Barrack was assisted by the Cambridge Police Department, the Maryland Gun Center and the Dorchester County Drug Task Force.

The Maryland State Police would like to remind all drivers to be aware of speed limits, school buses transporting children to and from school, children using crosswalks and to use seat belts.