$559K In Cocaine Seized, 31 Charged In Somerset County Drug Ring

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A estimated value of $559,000 worth of cocaine was seized and 31 people were charged when authorities took down a major drug ring operating in Somerset, Middlesex, and Union counties.

The investigation called "Operation Triple Tragedy," took authorities five months to take down the cocaine dealing ring and arrest all of the people involved. Four people still remain wanted by authorities, said Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson.

The following people were arrested and charged on June 4 with the following offenses:

1. Joselin Castillo, aka "Tragedy", 30, of Grandview Avenue, Edison - Possession of controlled dangerous substance(CDS) (cocaine) with the intent to distribute (first-degree), leader of a CDS trafficking network (first-degree), maintaining a CDS production facility (first-degree), attempt to distribute CDS (second-degree), conspiracy to distribute CDS (second-degree), possession of an assault firearm (second-degree), possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense (second-degree), unlawful possession of a handgun (second-degree), endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree), possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine (fourth-degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons).
2. Jonatan Gonzalez-Duran, aka "JB", 28, of Sumner Avenue, Plainfield - Distribution of CDS (cocaine first-degree), possession of CDS (cocaine) with the intent to distribute (first-degree), conspiracy to distribute CDS (second-degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons).
3. Joey Flores, 30, of Crescent Avenue, Plainfield - Distribution of CDS (cocaine second-degree), attempt to distribute CDS (second-degree), and conspiracy to distribute CDS (second-degree)
4. Anne Crowton, 29, of Faitoute Avenue, Roselle Park - Attempt to possess CDS (second-degree), and conspiracy to possess CDS (second-degree).
5. Katherin Ceballos, 22, of Grandview Avenue, Edison - Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the intent to distribute(first-degree), maintaining a CDS production facility (first-degree), attempt to distribute(second-degree), conspiracy to distribute CDS (second-degree), possession of an assault firearm(second-degree), possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense (second-degree), unlawful possession of a handgun (second-degree), endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree), possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine (fourth-degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons).
6. Jennifer Rodriguez-Leonardo, 21, of Liberty Street Plainfield - Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the intent to distribute (first-degree), maintaining a CDS production facility (first-degree), possession of an assault firearm (second-degree), possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense (second-degree), unlawful possession of a handgun (second-degree), possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine (fourth-degree), and possession of drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons).

During the week of June 14, the following people were arrested and charged for conspiracy and attempt to possess a controlled dangerous substance (third-degree):

1. Mohammed Adwan, 54, of Grant Avenue, South Plainfield
2. Kyle Battle, 31, of Oxford Avenue, Plainfield
3. Dave Choppay, Jr., 55, of New Center Road, Hillsborough
4. Jose Concepcion, Jr., 47, of Somerset Street, North Plainfield
5. Andrew Della-Ventura, 63, of North Avenue, Dunellen
6. Joseph Gonzalez, 43, of West 6 th Street, Plainfield
7. Heather Hein, 51, of Boulder Hill Road, Lebanon
8. Darguin Linares, 50, of Camman Place, Somerville
9. Mahmoud Mansy, 61, of South Washington Avenue, Dunellen
10. Juan Menjivar-Rivera, 43, of Sumner Avenue, Plainfield
11. Charles Norway, 63, of Haran Avenue, Manville
12. Maryann Norway, 61, of Windrew Avenue, South Plainfield
13. Tracey Pearson, 60, of New Center Road, Hillsborough
14. Julio Perdomo, 30, of Garfield Avenue, Plainfield
15. Kenneth Samuels, 59, of East 5 th Street, Plainfield
16. Michael Wade-Saunders, 54, of Mitchell Avenue, Piscataway
17. Hatem Shata, 55, of Diane Court, New Providence
18. Major Smith, 67, of Russell Place, Plainfield
19. Scott Taylor, 60, of Lafayette Place, Plainfield
20. Alfredo Vargas-Gonzalez, 50, of West Front Street, Plainfield
21. Saleem White, 35, of Forest Drive, Piscataway

The following people were charge d with conspiracy and attempt to possess a CDS (third-degree) and are wanted by authorities:

1. Francisco Fordham, 59, of 11 th Street, Piscataway
2. Miguel Garcia, 40, of Plainfield Avenue, Plainfield
3. Devin Jones, 45, of East 2 nd Street, Plainfield
4. Victor Tejada-Urena, 42, of Westervelt Avenue, Plainfield

During the investigation, police conducted eight Superior Court search warrants at the homes of Castillo, Gonzalez-Duran, and Crowton where they found about 6.5 kilograms (6,500 grams) of cocaine, a 9mm polymer 80 handgun equipped with a 30 round extended magazine, an AR-15 rifle equipped with a high capacity 30-round magazine, $193,536.25 in cash, and numerous items utilized for drug manufacturing to include scales, packaging material, narcotics cutting agent, one money counter, and two separate kilogram press devices.

The cocaine seized has an estimated street value of $559,000, according to Robertson.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation or to the whereabouts of the people wanted by authorities is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force 908-231-7100 via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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