31 Charged In 2 Large NJ Heroin, Crack Rings, Feds Say

NEW JERSEY – Federal criminal charges have been filed against 31 people for their roles as members, associates and suppliers of multiple drug-trafficking rings that distributed cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Thursday.

Twenty-eight defendants were arrested Thursday, while one was already in state custody and three remain at large, according to a release from Carpenito's office (see list below).

Those arrested were scheduled to have their initial appearances on Thursday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court.

The first complaint charges 20 defendants in two overlapping drug conspiracies involving the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. This organization is allegedly operated by Herbert Mays of Willingboro, according to the release.

The second complaint charges 12 defendants with three interrelated drug conspiracies involving the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, according to the release.

Talib Conway of Philadelphia is described in the complaint as a leading member of this organization. One defendant, Teron Huggins, is charged in both complaints.

“The defendants charged in this case were responsible for moving large quantities of dangerous drugs through the streets of Burlington County and elsewhere,” Carpenito said. “Taking this number of people off the street required a massive and coordinated effort by our office and other federal and state law enforcement organizations. These arrests should go a long way toward making our streets safer.”

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between July 2019 and September 2019, the defendants and others engaged in multiple and overlapping narcotics conspiracies that operated primarily through at least seven New Jersey towns. They sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin in towns such as Willingboro, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Bordentown Township, Edgewater Park, Pemberton and Mount Laurel, according to the release.

Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages, law enforcement learned that the defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine from conspirators in the Philadelphia area, according to the release.

They then redistributed that cocaine, portions of which they converted into crack cocaine, to distributors, sub-dealers and end-users throughout New Jersey, according to the release.

During the wiretap portion of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous communications among the conspirators discussing cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity and customer satisfaction, according to the release.

Here are those charged:

The counts of conspiracy to distribute at least five kilos of cocaine carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $1 million.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The counts of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine carry a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of $5 million.