Wildwood police officers responding to an overdose in front of a Wawa led to a major drug bust on Jan. 3.

Authorities say at around 10:49 p.m., patrol officers responded to a report of two occupants sleeping inside a parked vehicle at a Wawa on 418 West Rio Grande Ave.

Upon arrival, they observed North Cape May residents Cristine Pagan-Perez, 35, and Kenneth Lopez-Atiles, 29, slumped over in their seats with items officers believed to be drug paraphernalia in plain view.

Believing that the two were suffering a narcotics overdose, the officers contacted the Wildwood Fire Department, who quickly arrived at the scene. However, both Pagan-Perez and Lopez-Atiles regained consciousness on their own.

During the subsequent investigation, the pair admitted they were in possession of controlled dangerous substances paraphernalia along with cocaine and heroin, police say.

A search of the vehicle yielded over 600 bags of suspected CDS heroin and cocaine. Authorities also seized more than $2,000 in U.S. currency.

The investigation led officers to believe that the two were actively engaged in the distribution of illegal narcotics, specifically suspected CDS heroin. All items were collected on scene and submitted as evidence.

As a result of the investigation, Pagan-Perez and Lopez-Atiles were taken into custody and transported back to police headquarters.

Pagan-Perez was charged with two counts of third-degree possession of CDS cocaine/heroin and second-degree possession with the intent to distribute CDS heroin.

Lopez-Atiles was also charged with two counts of third-degree possession of CDS cocaine/heroin, second-degree possession with the intent to distribute CDS heroin, and possession of CDS paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.