Two men were arrested Friday following an investigation into suspected narcotics activity near West Broadway and Broadway.

Noel Arocho, 35, and Shawn Young, 35, both of Paterson, were taken into custody after detectives observed what they described as a hand-to-hand drug transaction inside a convenience store on West Broadway.

“This investigation started because numerous complaints had been received from concerned citizens and local business owners regarding open-air drug sales in this location,” said Passaic County Sheriff Thomas Adamo. “In response, detectives from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, along with detectives from the Fugitive Warrant Squad, established surveillance in the hopes of seeing illegal activity firsthand.”

According to Adamo, Arocho was seen arriving in the area and meeting with Young before both men entered the store, where they were allegedly observed exchanging suspected narcotics. Detectives detained both individuals shortly after the encounter.

Young was found in possession of 29 wax folds stamped “Tom Hardy” containing suspected heroin, 39 multicolored plastic vials believed to contain crack cocaine, 41 small multicolored pills suspected to be Ecstasy, and $203 in cash, authorities said. Arocho was found with one small orange pill of suspected Ecstasy.

Adamo said Young had previously been arrested on September 10 for similar offenses in the same area. Despite that arrest, he was again observed engaging in suspected narcotics distribution, investigators said.

Young was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute within a school zone.

Arocho was charged with one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance.