-from pressofatlanticcity.com-

By Elaine Rose

NORTHFIELD — Two men face drug charges after officers found marijuana plants and other illicit substances when they responded to a Burton Avenue home after responding to a medical emergency, police said Friday.

Atlantic County probation officers knocked on the door of a home on the 500 block of Burton Avenue at 4:14 p.m. Wednesday, when they noticed a man lying on his back and not responding, police said; they called for help out of concern for the man’s safety.

Officers Kristina Ramsi and Peter Czaplinski responded, entered the house and found the man was not ill, but in a deep sleep, police said. Another person was found in the home and the probation officer searched for someone who was wanted on an arrest warrant.

In the course of the search, Lt. Arthur Faden saw drug paraphernalia in plain view, police said. The officers got a warrant and searched the home, where they reported finding substances believed to be illegal drugs and a small, concealed area with 13 suspected marijuana plants.

Steven Nicholas Ranger, 19, was arrested and charged with manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. Edward William Ranger, 50, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Both men were released pending court hearings, police said.