Man Dealt Fentanyl-Laced Crack, Killing 3 In Union County: Police

RAHWAY, NJ — A Rahway man has been arrested for dealing fentanyl-laced crack cocaine that killed three people and hospitalized numerous others in Union County during the span of one day late last year, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Friday.

George Rayford, 38, of the 1200 block of Whelan Place is charged with three counts of strict liability for a drug-induced death, a first-degree crime, as well as four counts of second-degree drug distribution within 500 feet of a public park and five related third-degree drug distribution and possession offenses.

On Dec. 22 Rayford distributed the deadly quantities of drugs out of his Rahway home and by the end of the night three Rahway residents had overdosed and died, according to Union County Homicide Task Force Supervisor Michael Henn, who is prosecuting the case.

The victims were 41-year-old Nicole Taylor, 53-year-old Kacina Vanderburg and 67-year-old Harold Johnston, Henn said.

An unknown number of other people also overdosed on the drugs that night, but survived.

The six-week investigation was initiated by the Rahway Police Department and Detective James Crowell, and expanded to involve the Homicide Task Force, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodbridge Police Department.

“Considering the high levels of purity found in illegal drugs being sold throughout Union County and New Jersey, as well as the potential for those drugs to be laced with varying amounts of deadly substances such as fentanyl, purchasing and using them can be tantamount to playing Russian roulette,” Monahan said. “Thankfully, through the State’s strict liability statute, we have the means to ensure that those caught selling drugs that kill people face lengthy prison terms commensurate with their reckless actions.”

Rayford was arrested at his home early Friday morning without incident and lodged in Union County Jail pending a first appearance and a detention hearing to be held next week.

Rayford faces 10 to 20 years in state prison if convicted on the first-degree criminal charges.

Anyone with information about this matter is being urged to contact Detective Crowell at 732-827- 2115 or Prosecutor’s Office Detective Nicholas Falcicchio at 908-721-8186.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office: George Rayford, 38, of Rahway)

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