EAST BRUNSWICK - Police arrested two men last week after officers saw an alleged drug transaction take place outside Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18.

Jonathan Elfand, 39, of East Brunswick, and John Cadavid, 34, of East Elmhurst, N.Y., were charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana in a school zone.

Their arrests were made after East Brunswick detectives Sgt. Daniel Melnick and JosephAlves were driving through the mall parking lot around 3:30 p.m. May 12 and observed the apparent illegal drug transaction, according to a police report.

The officers investigated and found that the subject, later identified as Elfand, had just purchased a quantity of marijuana from an individual operating a black fourdoor Lexus with a New York registration tag. The Lexus left the area, and police broadcast the information for patrols to be on the lookout for the vehicle. A short time later, Patrolman Michael Plaskon located and stopped on the Lexus on Route 18 north near the entrance to the New Jersey Turnpike.

Plaskon requested that a drug-detection K-9 unit be sent to the scene to assist in searching the vehicle.New Jersey State Police Trooper Gary Brandt and K-9 Patton responded, and the search yielded approximately 5 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle, according to police.

The driver, Cadavid, was then arrested.

Both suspects were transported to the Middlesex CountyAdult Correction Center, North Brunswick, with bail set at $35,000.