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The four-month bust was called "Operation Checkmate," and combined collaborative efforts of nearly 50 law enforcement agencies.
Helmed by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and the DEA's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Group 5, the operation focused on three cocaine networks responsible for importing more than three kilograms of cocaine per week into Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
“Operation Checkmate” last week concluded with the arrest of the following 23 suspects on various offenses involving the distribution of controlled dangerous substances, Billhimer said:
- Luis Feliz, 41, of New York,
- James Hemenway, 43, of Morganville,
- Dale McCord, 44, of Manalapan,
- Mark Capichana, 54, of Hazlet,
- Mark Kelber, 44, of Manalapan,
- Andrew Contaldi, 47, of Brick Township,
- Andre Johnson, 45, of Freehold,
- Brian Contey, 41, of Brick Township,
- Tyrone Finch, 36, of Parlin,
- Alex Johnson, 47, of Brick Township,
- George Sirleaf, 47, of Keyport,
- Terrence Brown, 44, of Matawan,
- John Dolan, 46, of Matawan,
- Shawn McCord, 25, of Matawan,
- Daniel Jeandron, 41, of Keyport,
- Alexander Nagy, 42, of Laurence Harbor,
- John Sozomenou, 46, of Matawan,
- Joseph Horvath, 33, of Toms River,
- Christopher Lyons, 42, of Matawan,
- Robert Dazinski, 59, of Hazlet,
- Diana Roman-Porpora, 54, of Howell,
- Bobbie Parsells, 42, of Keyport, and;
- Daniel Votapek, 36, of Point Pleasant
Sophisticated surveillance methods and undercover operatives successfully disrupted and dismantled drug distribution activities, Billhimer said,
A total of 24 warranted searches were made, Billhimer said, resulting in the seizure of more than eight pounds of cocaine, over 15 pounds of marijuana, $650,000 in cash, seven firearms and one pistol grip shotgun, 10 vehicles, and additional illegal narcotics.
"This team of professionals literally worked around the clock for the last several months with a singular goal in mind: removing dangerous drug dealers from our streets," Billhimer said.
Assisting with the investigation were the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force managed and directed three simultaneous multi-agency investigations into high level cocaine distribution in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex Counties, as well as New York City,
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