3 Charged In Atlantic, Ocean County Drug Investigation: Prosecutor

OCEAN AND ATLANTIC COUNTIES, NJ — Three Atlantic County residents were charged following an investigation into narcotics distribution throughout Atlantic and Ocean counties, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Khaadim Abdullah, 27, of Mays Landing, Yaniah Harmon, 21, also of Mays Landing and Falerria Smith, 49, of Atlantic City, used homes in these towns to store and distribute illegal narcotics, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with 18 other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and New Jersey State Police, to investigate the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin/fentanyl in the Atlantic and Ocean County areas, Billhimer said.

On Aug. 18, detectives from these agencies set up stationary and mobile surveillance on the two Mays Landing residences and one Atlantic City residence, Billhimer said.

Abdullah was seen leaving Mays Landing and heading in the area of Little Egg Harbor, Billhimer said. New Jersey State Police - Trafficking Central Unit and New Jersey State Police Hamilton Barracks, with the assistance of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Aviation Unit watched Abdullah on the Garden State Parkway, Billhimer said.

Abdullah was seen leaving the Parkway onto a dirt road in Galloway, Billhimer said. He then fled the vehicle on foot, discarding items in the woods, Billhimer said. Abdullah was arrested without incident, Billhimer said.

After, detectives executed court-authorized search warrants on the three residences, Billhimer said. From the three residences, detectives seized about 14 ounces of methamphetamine, 3,550 wax folds of heroin, paraphernalia indicative of narcotics manufacturing and distribution, a stolen handgun and $14,900 in cash, Billhimer said. Harmon was taken into custody at the residence in Mays Landing, and Smith was taken into custody at the residence in Atlantic City, Billhimer said.

Abdullah was charged with :

• Maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility
• Distribution of five ounces or more of methamphetamine
• Possession of more than five ounces of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
• Distribution of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin
• Possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin with intent to distribute
• Conspiracy to distribute more than five ounces methamphetamine
• Conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of heroin
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Certain person not to possess a firearm
• Possession of a weapon during a controlled dangerous substance offense
• Receiving a stolen firearm
• Possession of a prohibited weapon or device - specifically a high capacity magazine
• Financial facilitation of criminal activity.

Abdullah is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, Billhimer said.

Harmon was charged with conspiracy to distribute more than five ounces of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin. Harmon was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court, Billhimer said..

Smith was charged with conspiracy to possess more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin with intent to distribute. Smith was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court, Billhimer said.