NEWARK — Police watched two men conduct a drug deal – then chased them into an apartment where they found more than nine pounds of marijuana, authorities said.

Frank Gonzalez, 30, and William Robinson, 20, were watched by patrol officers conducting what appeared to be a drug deal with an unknown man in a dark vehicle on the 100-block of Mapes Avenue, said Sgt. Ronald Glover, a Newark police spokesman.

The man in the car drove off around 10:30 p.m., police said. When the officers got out of their unmarked car, an unknown person yelled out “Police,” Glover said.

Gonzalez and Robinson allegedly took off running, police said.

Both men attempted to elude police by running inside an apartment – but were quickly caught, Glover said.

William Robinson, 20

During the chase the officers said they saw Gonzalez holding a clear plastic bag with marijuana inside – and a search of the apartment turned up additional amounts of it, Glover said.

After obtaining a search warrant, police completed the search of the apartment which turned up a loaded 9mm handgun, an ammunition clip with 26 rounds including two hollow points, and digital scales, police said.

Gonzalez and Robinson are both charged with operating a drug production facility, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, prohibited weapon, resisting arrest, conspiracy, and other counts, Glover said.

Both men are being held on $350,000 bail, according to online county corrections records.

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