Tag:

Drug Distribution

South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say A Lacey Township woman admitted to using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She pleaded guilty to possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges came from an investigation when Lacey Township police received a tip from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Investigators said Wh…
Wanted Man Without Driver's License Found With Drugs After Atlantic City Crash, Police Say Wanted Man Without Driver's License Found With Drugs After Atlantic City Crash, Police Say
Wanted Man Without Driver's License Found With Drugs After Atlantic City Crash, Police Say An Atlantic City man was accused of having drugs after crashing his vehicle, authorities said. Louis Murphy, 22, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Atlantic City Police Department said in a news release. An officer saw two vehicles crash into each other near the intersection of Tennessee and Baltic avenues at around 4:52 p.m. Murphy walked away from his vehicle and the officer chased him down to detain him. Investigators said Murphy had several active arrest warrants and didn't have a valid driver's license. He was also found with 100 bags of heroin and six grams of cocaine. Mur…
Jersey Shore Cocaine Dealer Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Cocaine Dealer Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Cocaine Dealer Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence, Prosecutors Say A Brick Township man will spend a decade in prison after having more than 100 grams of cocaine and nearly $20,000 in cash, authorities said. Ezra Wheeler, 27, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 13 to 10 years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He pleaded guilty on Monday, July 15 to possession of more than one half-ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute. Brick Township police established surveillance on a Coventry Court home as part of a drug investigation on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Detectives saw …
Teen Violating Curfew Found With 300+ Bags Of Heroin In Atlantic City, Police Say Teen Violating Curfew Found With 300+ Bags Of Heroin In Atlantic City, Police Say
Teen Violating Curfew Found With 300+ Bags Of Heroin In Atlantic City, Police Say Three Atlantic County teens were arrested for refusing to leave a business after curfew, including one who was accused of having heroin and cocaine, authorities said. Atlantic City police responded to the business on the 2600 block of Atlantic Avenue at around 1:17 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, the department said in a news release. Three boys refused to leave after employees asked them to several times and they ignored officers when they tried to talk with them. The teens were taken into custody for violating the city's curfew ordinance. A 17-year-old Atlantic City boy was found with 355 bags …
Westchester Man Sells Opioid Three Times Stronger Than Fentanyl, Feds Say Westchester Man Sells Opioid Three Times Stronger Than Fentanyl, Feds Say
Westchester Man Sells Opioid Three Times Stronger Than Fentanyl, Feds Say Two men, including one from Westchester County, face federal charges for allegedly selling a narcotic up to three times stronger than fentanyl, officials announced.  Yonkers resident Miguel de Jesus Reyes Medina, age 49, and Camden, NJ resident Erik Alberto Lopez Valdez, age 38, were arrested on Thursday, July 18 on drug distribution charges, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, in April 2024, Reyes Medina agreed to sell fentanyl to an undercover agent working with law enforcement, reportedly asking f…
Convicted Felon From Asbury Park Who Sold Fentanyl, Meth, Cocaine Sentenced: Feds Convicted Felon From Asbury Park Who Sold Fentanyl, Meth, Cocaine Sentenced: Feds
Convicted Felon From Asbury Park Who Sold Fentanyl, Meth, Cocaine Sentenced: Feds A convicted felon from Asbury Park will spend several years in prison after admitting to selling methamphetamine and having a gun, authorities said. Dywann Pugh, 44, was sentenced on Wednesday, July 10 to 10 years in federal prison, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. He previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. According to court documents and testimony, police executed search…
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More 'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More The leader of a notorious Essex County street gang that dominated the region's drug trade was convicted by a federal jury of three murders, among other counts, authorities said. Michael Healy, 43, of Montclair, "ruthlessly ordered murders so that he could protect his narcotics operation and continue to sell large quantities of dangerous [drugs],” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said after federal jurors in Newark returned their verdicts on Wednesday, April 3. Healy "recruited men to kill someone he thought was an informant, and even when they killed the wrong person – a bystander – he ord…
Central Jersey Man Found With Crack Cocaine During Traffic Stop: Police Central Jersey Man Found With Crack Cocaine During Traffic Stop: Police
Central Jersey Man Found With Crack Cocaine During Traffic Stop: Police A Monmouth County man was accused of having crack cocaine during a traffic stop, authorities said. Wall Township police arrested 45-year-old Donny Reevey of Neptune at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 19, the department said in a Facebook post.  Reevey's arrest came after he was stopped for traffic violations on Route 35 near New Bedford Road. He was charged with possession of crack cocaine and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. Reevey was released on a summons with a future court date.
Jersey Shore Man Sentenced For Having Meth, Cocaine, Heroin, Illegal Gun: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Sentenced For Having Meth, Cocaine, Heroin, Illegal Gun: Prosecutor
Davidson Jules Sentenced A Monmouth County man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after admitting to having several types of drugs, equipment to distribute them, and an illegal gun, authorities said. Davidson Jules, 42, of Keansburg, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison on Friday, Mar. 15, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release on Monday, Mar. 18. He pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 8 to possession of more than five ounces with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a handgun.  Several law enforcement agencies executed search warrants durin…
Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man
Trenton Man Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Overdose Death Of Jersey Shore Man A Trenton man admitted to his role in the overdose death of a man in Ocean County, authorities said. Ryan Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty on Monday, Mar. 4 to manslaughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced in a news release on Wednesday, Mar. 6. He was charged in the death of a 55-year-old man in Berkeley Township. Police responded to a report of an unresponsive man in a home on Torrey Pines Drive on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. When officers arrived, they found the man already dead from what the Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed was a fentanyl overdose. I…
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In South Jersey Drug Bust, Four Arrested Four people were accused of selling several drugs throughout Ocean County, including heroin and fentanyl, authorities said. The people arrested were 33-year-old Orthis Allen of Bayville, 33-year-old Ashley Banks of Brick, and two 23-year-olds from Toms River, Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the four arrests in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents helped Ocean County investigators and local police in a two-month-long investigation into illegal drugs sold throughout Ocean County. The investi…
South Jersey Dealer Used Apartment Complex To Sell Drugs: Prosecutors South Jersey Dealer Used Apartment Complex To Sell Drugs: Prosecutors
South Jersey Dealer Used Apartment Complex To Sell Drugs: Prosecutors A Lakewood man was accused of selling several illegal drugs from an Ocean County apartment complex, authorities said. Jamar Montgomery, 30, was given more than a dozen charges, including several drug-related offenses, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced on Thursday, Feb. 22. He was arrested in a two-week-long investigation at Freedom Village off Massachusetts Avenue in Toms River. Investigators said Montgomery used a home on Dream Court to store and sell narcotics. The county prosecutor's office and Toms River police began surveillance on the home on Thursday, Feb. 8. …
Jersey Shore Man Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Multiple Times: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Man Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Multiple Times: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Man Sold Cocaine To Undercover Cop Multiple Times: Prosecutor An Asbury Park man has admitted to selling drugs to an undercover officer multiple times, authorities said. Tyheim McGhee, 28, of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6 to the distribution of over ½ ounce of cocaine, and possession of over five ounces of cocaine with the intent to distribute, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. The guilty plea stems from a cooperative investigation involving detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, in February an…
SWAT Raid Turns Up Heroin, Meth, Ammo; 4 Arrested In Ocean County: Prosecutor SWAT Raid Turns Up Heroin, Meth, Ammo; 4 Arrested In Ocean County: Prosecutor
SWAT Raid Turns Up Heroin, Meth, Ammo; 4 Arrested In Ocean County: Prosecutor The raid of an Ocean County home turned up heroin, methamphetamine and ammunition, leading to the arrest of four people, authorities said. This investigation identified a residence in Berkeley Township as being utilized by Anthony Isola, 49, of Bayville, to store and sell drugs, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Based upon reliable information received, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Berkeley Township Police Department initiated surveillance on the subject residence in Bayville on Tuesday, Oct. 24. That's when…
Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds
Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds Four people were killed by fentanyl peddled by a dealer from Somerset County who was captured in the middle of another sale, authorities said. A federal judge in Newark ordered Mauricio Gutierrez, 50, of Somerset held following an initial court appearance on charges of distributing drugs that killed users. Special agents of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Newark took custody of Gutierrez after he was busted selling coke in Piscataway on Thursday, Sept. 28, authorities said. One of the buyers shared it with two other people that fateful June 2022 day, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger…
Crime Fighters From NJ Work Case Of Baby, 1, Killed By Fentanyl At NYC Day Care Center Crime Fighters From NJ Work Case Of Baby, 1, Killed By Fentanyl At NYC Day Care Center
Crime Fighters From NJ Work Case Of Baby, 1, Killed By Fentanyl At NYC Day Care Center The owner of a Bronx daycare center where a 1-year-old boy died from fentanyl exposure was seized by federal authorities on Tuesday along with her husband’s cousin. Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner of Divino Niño Daycare, and her alleged accomplice, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, were charged by the federal government on Sept. 19 with possession with the intent and conspiracy to distribute drugs resulting in death. Meanwhile, a manhunt continued for De Ventura’s fugitive husband, who was identified as the leader of the drug operation. Children who napped where the defendants were cuttin…
THIS IS BAIL REFORM? Judge Releases Accused Big-Time Paterson Dealer Busted In $1M Drug Raid THIS IS BAIL REFORM? Judge Releases Accused Big-Time Paterson Dealer Busted In $1M Drug Raid
This IS Bail Reform? Judge Releases Accused Big-Time Paterson Dealer Busted In $1M Drug Raid One of the biggest arguments for bail reform in New Jersey was that poor defendants regularly languished in jail, waiting for their cases to be heard, while drug dealers routinely paid their way out. Examples of offenders who are repeatedly caught and immediately released have dominated the debate over bail reform. New Jersey got a different example, however, with the arrest of a Dominican national described by authorities as a big-time Paterson drug dealer. Roughly 3½ pounds of fentanyl powder and 1,300 fentanyl pills were among nearly $1 million worth of narcotics seized from Pedro Rodr…
Ex-Con NJ Bloods Leader Known As 'Hellboy' Gets 10 Years, No Parole, After Undercover PCP Sting Ex-Con NJ Bloods Leader Known As 'Hellboy' Gets 10 Years, No Parole, After Undercover PCP Sting
Ex-Con NJ Bloods Leader Known As 'Hellboy' Gets 10 Years, No Parole, After Undercover PCP Sting UPDATE: The leader of a Bloods subset that ruled some East Orange, Newark and Orange neighborhoods must spend the next 10 years in federal prison after he got stung selling PCP to an undercover agent. Tyree Thomas, 29, of Irvington -- known on the street as “Hellboy” -- had two loaded guns to protect the drugs and proceeds in a stash house that was raided after he repeatedly peddled phencyclidine to the agent from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Agents seized a 9mm Glock 19 and a .380-caliber Grendel P1O…
Delaware Man Admits Peddling Heroin In NJ: Feds Delaware Man Admits Peddling Heroin In NJ: Feds
Delaware Man Admits Peddling Heroin In NJ: Feds A Delaware man admitted in federal court that he sold heroin in New Jersey, authorities said. Carl L. Jones, 49, of Newport, did business with "a confidential source who was working with law enforcement" in a commercial parking lot in Mount Laurel on March 29, 2019, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. According to Sellinger, Jones sold the informant a pound and a half of a a "mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin." Jones took a deal from the government rather than risk the potential consequences of a guilty verdict at a trial, pleading to drug po…
Federal Fort Lee Fentanyl Bust: Manhattan Man, 64, Could Get 10 Years Without Parole Federal Fort Lee Fentanyl Bust: Manhattan Man, 64, Could Get 10 Years Without Parole
Federal Fort Lee Fentanyl Bust: Manhattan Man, 64, Could Get 10 Years Without Parole A 64-year-old Manhattan man busted by federal Homeland Security agents for dealing nearly a pound of a drug mixture that contained fentanyl in Fort Lee took a guilty plea Tuesday rather than risk the outcome of a trial. U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo scheduled sentencing for June 21 after Jose Migel Cleto pleaded guilty in Newark on Jan. 31 to distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Cleto could still get 10 years, which has become a federal mandatory minimum for fentanyl trafficking -- a crime that prosecutors and j…
3,350 Heroin Decks Nabbed, 2 Arrested In Major Trenton Bust: Police 3,350 Heroin Decks Nabbed, 2 Arrested In Major Trenton Bust: Police
3,350 Heroin Decks Nabbed, 2 Arrested In Major Trenton Bust: Police More than 3,300 decks of heroin were recovered and two suspects were hit with a slew of charges in a major drug bust in Trenton, authorities announced. Trenton VCU detectives were patroling the area of Kent Street and Chestnut Avenue (Columbus Park) onas a response to several complains regarding heroin sales, Police said in a Wednesday release. During the patrol, Amaury Paulino, 31, was seen selling a controlled substance to Yamil V. Santiago, 41, detectives said. A follow-up investigation led to the discovery of 3,350 decks of heroin and an unspecified amount of cash, according to police.…
Crack Cocaine Dealer Had More Than $28K In Cash: Trenton PD Crack Cocaine Dealer Had More Than $28K In Cash: Trenton PD
Crack Cocaine Dealer Had More Than $28K In Cash: Trenton PD A 33-year-old man whom Trenton police say they saw selling crack cocaine was later found with nearly $29,000 cash, according to authorities. Officers conducting surveillance near the 200 block of Brunswick Avenue in Trenton saw Bashawn Allen performing several hand-to-hand sales of narcotics out of his vehicle on Thursday, Nov. 3, police said. The surveillance was a response to the numerous complaints involving the illegal and blatant use and sales of narcotics. A follow-up investigation found that Allen had a distributable amount of crack cocaine, as well as $28,566 in cash, according to …
Jersey Shore Men Arrested For Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Men Arrested For Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Men Arrested For Selling Cocaine: Prosecutor A multi-agency investigation identified a residence in Lacey Township as being used to store and distribute cocaine, authorities said. Douglas Ward, 59, of Lacey, was observed by detectives leaving the residence and meeting with an individual later identified as Thomas Prosser, 60, of Bayville, authorities said. Detectives approached Ward and Prosser, and both individuals were taken into custody, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. At the time of his arrest, Ward was found to be in possession of several small bags containing cocaine, the…
425 Heroin Bricks Found In Trunk During NJ Turnpike Stop; 2 Charged, Prosecutor Says 425 Heroin Bricks Found In Trunk During NJ Turnpike Stop; 2 Charged, Prosecutor Says
425 Heroin Bricks Found In Trunk During NJ Turnpike Stop; 2 Charged, Prosecutor Says A man and woman were charged after a traffic stop on the NJ Turnpike led to the discovery of more than 400 bricks of heroin and cocaine, authorities announced. Dionys Rivas, 33, had just exited the New Jersey Turnpike at exit 7A in Robbinsville Township in a white Acura TL when he was stopped on Tuesday, April 7, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. A search of the car turned up 425 bricks of heroin inside a gym bag in the trunk, and a follow-up search of Rivas’ South Clinton Avenue home in Trenton turned up 10 grams of cocaine, Onofri said. Rivas and his girlfriend, 22-year-old…
Accused Drug Dealer Sold Fatal Fentanyl Dose: Police Accused Drug Dealer Sold Fatal Fentanyl Dose: Police
Accused Drug Dealer Sold Fatal Fentanyl Dose: Police A 29-year-old man from Central Jersey has been arrested in connection with the fentanyl death of one of his alleged customers, authorities said. Jessica A. Simmonds, 29, of Franklin Twp., Somerset, was charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death and for distribution of drugs in the death of a 32-year-old man, according to Middlesex Police Chief Matthew P. Geist. The victim was found dead in his home in December 2021. The Middlesex County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be the result of the toxic effects of fentanyl. An investigation by Middlesex Detec…
Boy Who OD'd On Bus Had Been Cleaning Uncle's Fentanyl Paraphernalia: Prosecutor Boy Who OD'd On Bus Had Been Cleaning Uncle's Fentanyl Paraphernalia: Prosecutor
Boy Who OD'd On Bus Had Been Cleaning Uncle's Fentanyl Paraphernalia: Prosecutor A 35-year-old man from Camden County has been arrested for causing the fentanyl-overdose death of his 12-year-old nephew, authorities said. The boy had been directed by Troy Nokes, 35, of Blackwood, to clean fentanyl paraphernalia before he passed out on a school bus on Jan. 24, according to Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Gloucester Twp. Police Chief David Harkins. Life-saving measures were performed by the school nurse until EMS arrived and took the child to the hospital. He died of his injuries eight days later.  The child lived at a home in Blackwood, where Nok…
Brick Police Seize Heroin, Crack, Meth;  Arrest 5 On Multiple Drug Charges Brick Police Seize Heroin, Crack, Meth;  Arrest 5 On Multiple Drug Charges
Brick Police Seize Heroin, Crack, Meth; Arrest 5 On Multiple Drug Charges Brick Pollice Department's Street Crimes Unit arrested five suspects on multiple drug charges. On Feb. 14, at approximately 10 p.m., detectives observed a suspicious male identified as Nisar Ahmad, 64, of Cliffside Park near Sweet Green Food Market and the Wine Shoppe on Hooper Avenue. Investigation resulted in Ahmad’s arrest for loitering to obtain drugs, police said. He was released on a summons. On Feb. 15 at approximately 6 p.m., detectives observed an alleged hand-to-hand drug transaction in the Maple Leaf Condominium Complex, police said. A subsequent vehicle s…
7 Pounds Hash, $79K Seized At Jersey Shore Drug Production Facility: Prosecutor 7 Pounds Hash, $79K Seized At Jersey Shore Drug Production Facility: Prosecutor
7 Pounds Hash, $79K Seized At Jersey Shore Drug Production Facility: Prosecutor A 35-year-old man from Ocean County has been indicted in connection with producing drugs at his home, authorities said. Daniel Kessel, of Toms River Township, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.  Kessel also was indicted for possession of THC with intent to distribute and possession of more than five pounds of hashish with intent to distribute, Billhimer said. An investigation by the Berkeley Township Police Department Detectiv…
Heroin, Painkillers Seized In Jersey Shore Busts Heroin, Painkillers Seized In Jersey Shore Busts
Heroin, Painkillers Seized In Jersey Shore Busts Brick police made several arrests involving drug possession and sales, authorities said. On Friday, Feb. 11, Brick Street Crimes Unit (SCU) detectives observed suspicious activity in the area of 35 Beaverson Boulevard. Two motor vehicle stops were conducted relating to the activity observed. The first vehicle was occupied by Vincent Infante, 30, of Seaside Heights. Infante was charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and wandering in a public place to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, police said. Infante was processed and released on a summons.  …
Fatal Overdose In South Jersey Blamed On Fake Prescription Drug, 1,000 Pills Seized: Prosecutor Fatal Overdose In South Jersey Blamed On Fake Prescription Drug, 1,000 Pills Seized: Prosecutor
Fatal Overdose In South Jersey Blamed On Fake Prescription Drug, 1,000 Pills Seized: Prosecutor A 26-year-old man from South Jersey has been arrested in connection with selling counterfeit prescription drugs (CPDs) that contained fentanyl, authorities said. Marques A. Palmer, of Burlington Township, was charged with first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death and the possession and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Florence Township Police Chief Brian Boldizar. An investigation began in April 2021, when Florence Township police were dispatched to the 200 block of Fifth Avenue in the Roebling s…
Drug Dog Finds $100K Of Cocaine On Jersey City Man In Major Mercer County Bust: Prosecutor Drug Dog Finds $100K Of Cocaine On Jersey City Man In Major Mercer County Bust: Prosecutor
Drug Dog Finds $100K Of Cocaine On Jersey City Man In Major Mercer County Bust: Prosecutor A quantity of cocaine worth about $100,000 was found on a Jersey City man with the help of a narcotics K9 in Mercer County earlier this week, authorities said. Hector Perez-Suarez, 31, was stopped in a silver BMW near Parkway Avenue in Trenton on Tuesday as part of a month-long investigation into narcotics sales, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Thursday. A search of the car by narcotics canine officer Indy turned up a plastic bag with a kilogram of cocaine on the rear floor next to the rear center console, Onofri said. Perez-Suarez also had $2,100 in cash, authorities said. …