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20 Indicted In Fentanyl, Heroin Ring That Fueled Drug Use Across North Jersey: AG

Twenty people have been indicted in the sweeping takedown of opioid mills that fueled drug distribution across North Jersey, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday, March 5.

Cecilia Levine
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ALSO SEE: 23 People Arrested In Another Massive NJ Drug Bust — Fentanyl, Guns, Seized, Prosecutor Says

The indictment, handed down by a state grand jury, includes 53 charges ranging from racketeering and drug trafficking to weapons offenses and financial crimes. Authorities say the suspects were part of the Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which operated from April 2020 to October 2023, primarily in Paterson and Lodi.

According to the indictment, the DTO maintained multiple drug mills where heroin and fentanyl were processed, packaged, and distributed. During the investigation, the New Jersey State Police seized approximately 126 ounces of heroin, 95 ounces of fentanyl, and two firearms from various locations connected to the ring.

Authorities also uncovered thousands of wax folds filled with narcotics, along with packaging materials including sifters, grinders, stamps, and digital scales. Investigators say members of the operation used fraudulent driver’s licenses and fake identities to secure rental cars and residences, helping conceal their activities.

Authorities have arrested 11 of the 20 defendants, while nine remain at large. The list of suspects include:

  • Adrian Rodriguez, 30, Woodland Park (at large)
  • Carlos Sanchez, 36, Paterson (at large)
  • Walter Gutierrez, 33, Paterson
  • Javier Castro, 32, Paterson (at large)
  • Leonel Creque, 36, Paterson
  • Alexander Madera, 24, Paterson (at large)
  • Harley Pallero, 31, Paterson
  • Albert Rivera, 27, Paterson (at large)
  • Albert Lagua, 27, Paterson
  • Francisco Garcia, 37, Fairfield
  • Carlos Francisco, 35, Paterson
  • Raymond Jaquez, 30, Paterson
  • Tatiana Rosado, 32, Fairfield
  • Cesar Marte-Perez, 24, Prospect Park (at large)
  • Edson Carranza, 31, Clifton
  • Eduardo Godinez Jr., 28, Hawthorne
  • Khytiana Sanchez, 25, Corona, N.Y. (at large)
  • Jordany DeJesus, 27, Paterson (at large)
  • Freylin Nunez, 21, Bronx, N.Y. (at large)
  • Christopher Ynfante-Sanchez, 36, Paterson

Additional defendants face various charges, including racketeering, maintaining drug mills, and distributing narcotics near schools. One man, Bryan Medina, was indicted separately on six counts, including second-degree conspiracy.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Matthew Bernal, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto.

All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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