Cherry Hill Woman Sentenced in International Narcotics Ring

A Cherry Hill woman has been sentenced to 21 years in state prison, including six years of parole ineligibility, for her role in an international drug ring that used the U.S. Mail and other delivery services to ship multiple kilograms of cocaine from California into New Jersey, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said Friday morning.

Marsha G. Bernard, 34, was previously convicted of first-degree distribution of cocaine, second-degree money laundering, and second-degree conspiracy. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with six years of parole ineligibility, on the first-degree distribution charge, and a consecutive six years in prison on the second-degree money laundering charge.

She and Andrew K. Davis, 37, of Kingston, Jamaica (formerly of Swedesboro, N.J.), a well-known Jamaican dancehall DJ who records under the name “Flippa Mafia” and “Flippa Moggela,” were both found guilty of the same charges on the same day.

Davis was also charged with the first-degree crime of leading a narcotics trafficking network, but the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on that charge.

The state is scheduled to retry Davis on that charge, starting on May 23.

Davis’s brother Kemar, 24, of Hollywood Florida (formerly of Margate, Florida) previously pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree leading a narcotics trafficking network.

His other brother Roger, 37, of Roslyn, Pa., previously pleaded guilty to first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Bernard received large shipments of cocaine in New Jersey and distributed them to other drug traffickers under the direction of Andrew, Kemar and Roger Davis.

Other South Jersey residents charged in the case were Sidonie S. McLeod, 28, of Cherry Hill, James C. McBride, 41, of Mount Laurel, Angel R. Rivera, 33, of Vineland, and Juan M. Cortez 41, of Vineland.

They were each charged with first-degree conspiracy and first-degree distribution of cocaine. McLeod and Bernard were also charged with first-degree money laundering charges and Rivera was charged with second-degree possession of a weapon as a convicted felon.

On June 12 of last year, Rivera was sentenced to 10 years in state prison, with a 3.5-year period of parole ineligibility, for his role in the operation.

On July 31 of last year, Cortez was sentenced to eight years in state prison, with a two-year period of parole ineligibility. Both men pleaded guilty to first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Cortez and Rivera were arrested on March 11, 2013, at the Cherry Hill Mall.

They had taken delivery of a kilogram of cocaine at the mall, allegedly from Bernard.

When the men were arrested, detectives discovered cocaine in a hidden compartment in Rivera’s vehicle

On Nov. 21, 2014, McBride was sentenced to 16 years in state prison, including eight years of parole ineligibility. He pleaded guilty to first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. McBride was arrested on March 15, 2013, outside the Cherry Hill Mall after taking delivery of three kilos of cocaine from McLeod.

On Jan. 16, McLeod was sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.

During the overall investigation, detectives seized over 26 kilos of cocaine, worth approximately $910,000, two handguns, and over $500,000 in cash.

A total of 15 people were indicted.

Among the other defendants, Ruan Rose, 42, of Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to four years in state prison on Feb. 13 after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge, and Hioka N. Myrie, 34, of Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to three years in state prison on Feb. 20 after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.

The investigation targeted the ring’s shipment of large quantities of cocaine through parcel delivery services to New Jersey for bulk distribution to other narcotics suppliers and dealers. Andrew Davis allegedly led the ring’s drug trafficking activities from various locations in Jamaica, California and New Jersey, along with his brother Kemar.

The investigation began in March of 2011, when detectives and agents from the Camden High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office seized two packages from a mail facility in Marlton allegedly destined for receipt by Andrew Davis and Marsha Bernard. Each package contained four kilograms of cocaine.

In December of 2012, Andrew and Kemar Davis traveled to Jamaica. Andrew remained in Jamaica, but he allegedly continued to control the ring’s activities by directing Kemar and others. Kemar returned to the U.S. and allegedly oversaw the shipment of kilogram quantities of cocaine from California to New Jersey.

Bernard and other defendants allegedly received the drugs and distributed them to dealers in New Jersey, under the direction of the Davis brothers. Bernard allegedly handled the drug proceeds, sending them to Andrew Davis in Jamaica and Kemar Davis in California.

The attached image of Marsha G. Bernard was previously provided by the Attorney General’s Office