25 Charged In 4 Big NJ Heroin, Drug, Gun Busts In Just 4 Days

NEW JERSEY – Twenty-five people were arrested in four big drug busts that happened in New Jersey over the last four days, according to authorities.

Eight people were arrested and charged with narcotics and weapons charges following a two-month long investigation into a large drug distribution network, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced. One of the people was charged with endangering the welfare of the child.

“I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners who contributed to this operation. Their efforts enabled us to remove guns, high capacity ammunition and drugs out of circulation,” Tyner said.

Twelve people were also arrested in a narcotic surveillance operation that involved 160 bags of heroin and marijuana in New Jersey. Another five were arrested in two busts in North Jersey.

Here is what happened:

Large drug distribution network busted

Eight people from several South Jersey communities who were involved in a large heroin and cocaine drug network were busted, authorities this weekend.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office executed six search warrants in the Egg Harbor City and Mullica Township areas of Atlantic County on Thursday. The search warrants were the culmination of a two-month investigation by the ACPO Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit into a narcotics distribution network, authorities said.

The execution of the search warrants led to the recovery of the following:

• 2 handguns
• Large capacity handgun magazines
• Hollow point ammunition
• Approximately 2,000 individual wax folds of suspected heroin
• Approximately 6 ounces of suspected cocaine
• Various items utilized to manufacture and package narcotics

This investigation led to the arrest of eight people for narcotics-related offenses. Those were:

Robert Strong, 27, of Egg Harbor City

• Leader of a narcotics trafficking network, 1st Degree
• Distribution of heroin, 2nd Degree
• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 2nd Degree
• Possession of heroin, 3rd Degree
• Distribution of edible marijuana, 3rd Degree

Kevin Moulden 27, of Mullica Township

• Maintaining or 0perating a drug production facility, 1st Degree
• Distribution of cocaine, 1st Degree
• Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, 2nd Degree
• Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, 2nd Degree
• Possession of cocaine, 3rd Degree
• Possession of hollow point bullets, 4th Degree
• Possession of an extended magazine, 4th Degree

Scott Dorn, 20, of Egg Harbor City

• Distribution of heroin within 500 feet of public housing, 2nd Degree
• Distribution of heroin, 3rd Degree
• Possession of cocaine, 3rd Degree
• Endangering the welfare of a child, 3rd Degree
• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 3rd Degree

Tashaun Pressley, 19, of Egg Harbor City

• Distribution of heroin, 2nd Degree
• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 2nd Degree
• Possession of Heroin, 3rd Degree
• Attempt to destroy evidence, 3rd Degree
• Possession of marijuana, 3rd Degree
• Tampering with evidence, 4th Degree

Anthony Hamilton, 33, of Mullica Township

• Distribution of heroin, 3rd Degree
• Possession of heroin, 3rd Degree

Raekwon McKenney, 20, of Egg Harbor City

• Distribution of heroin, 3rd Degree
• Possession of heroin, 3rd Degree

Theresa Strong, 39, of Egg Harbor City

• Possession of cocaine, 3rd Degree

Barry Bethea, 45, of Egg Harbor City

• Distribution of heroin, 3rd Degree
• Possession of heroin, 3rd Degree

12 arrested in narcotic surveillance operation

Twelve people were arrested after a surveillance operation targeted individuals in possession of and distributing narcotics in South Jersey, police said.

In the surveillance operation, which took place on the 1300 block of Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City, detectives were following up on information provided to them by concerned citizens and business merchants, police said.

As a result, 10 men and two women were arrested. Detectives recovered one ounce of cocaine, 160 individual bags of heroin and marijuana and nearly $1,000 in cash, police said.

Those arrested (and their charges) were:

• Stephen Dwight, 46, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute CDS.
• John Richman, 52, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute CDS.
• Kareem Watson, 18, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.
• Jordan Wilson, 18, of Mays Landing: Two counts each of possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.
• Heather Belcher, 35, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone.
• Marcus Martineau, a 30, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS and possession with intent to distribute.
• Luqua Turner, 50, of Atlantic City: Possession of CDS
• Christopher Bosques, 34, of Absecon: Possession of CDS
• Courtney Vanderhoof, 42, of Atlantic City: Prostitution
• Clifford Colmyer, 45, of Atlantic City: Contempt of court and loitering to commit a CDS offense.
• Tyvon Sewell, 20, of Atlantic City: Contempt of court.
• Eddie Santos, 33, of Atlantic City: Contempt of court.

Anyone with information about the distribution of narcotics is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858. Information can be texted to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. All texts are anonymous.

Three people arrested in North Jersey convenience store bust

Three people were arrested in a North Jersey drug bust that centered around a convenience store, police said.

The arrests happened at 9 p.m. on Saturday when police were patrolling the area of 330 Totowa Avenue in Paterson in response to numerous narcotics and loud noise complaints from residents, police said.

Concerned citizens of the area who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation stated "drug dealers" would utilize the parking lot of 330 Totowa Ave., site of the Seven Days Convenience Store, to play loud music, smoke marijuana and conduct drug transactions, police said.

This area has also been the location of numerous narcotics investigations in the past that have lead to arrests and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, police said.

The police's attention was drawn to a group of approximately 10 men who were standing in the parking lot surrounding a vehicle with an open container of alcohol and playing loud music. As the detectives exited their vehicles and approached the group, a strong odor of burnt marijuana could be smelled coming from the gathering, police said.

A man identified as Ernesto Marrero, 35, of Paterson had a clear sandwich bag sticking out of his sweater pocket with green vegetation-like substance contained in smaller bags, police said. Detectives approached the man, and the odor of raw marijuana could be smelled emanating from him.

Detectives recognized the substance to be marijuana, which packaged accordingly for distribution.
A search yielded three sandwich bags and four blue bags of marijuana. Marrero was then placed in handcuffs and in an unmarked transport unit, police said.

Detectives then approached another male, later identified as Miguel Cintron, 38, of Totowa, who also had a strong odor of raw marijuana emanating from him. He was asked if he had any marijuana in his possession, and he admitted he had a small amount, police said.

A search yielded one knotted sandwich bag of marijuana and he was placed in handcuffs and inside of an unmarked transport unit, police said.

A third male, later identified as Fabio Adduci, 19, of Little Falls was observed smoking a marijuana cigar. He was placed in handcuffs and a search yielded one sandwich bag and two marijuana cigars.

"Enforcement is paramount. Our police leadership and I are working to change the attitude that anything goes in Paterson," Mayor Andre Sayegh said.

Drug deal gone bad

Two people were arrested in another North Jersey bust on Sunday, police said.

The arrests happened on Sunday when police received information about illegal narcotics transactions at the rear of the 1st floor apartment of 136 Highland St. in Paterson, police said.

Detectives responded to the area and identified an individual, who was believed to be involved in the illegal activity, walking to the rear of 136 Highland St. and carrying money, police said.

Believing the man was going to meet with a potential dealer, the detectives exited their vehicles and followed him to the rear of 136 Highland St., police said.

As they approached the back of the residence, they observed Angel Figueroa, 32, of Paterson attempting to hand a $20 bill to another man, later identified as Erick Figueroa, 25, of Paterson, who had a purple jar containing a greenish vegetation-like substance, police said.

As they noticed the detective’s presence, Angel Figueroa immediately stopped moving and became nervous, and Erick Figueroa slammed the door on the detectives, police said.

Detectives immediately forced entry into the residence believing a narcotics transaction was about to occur, and attempted to arrest Erick Figueroa. Detectives were overwhelmed by the heavy odor or burnt marijuana and observed numerous plastic bags on the kitchen counter, police said.

Erick Figueroa was located in the kitchen and he admitted he threw a plastic sandwich bag containing cocaine in the front hallway of his residence. The bag was located and 11 bags of cocaine were also located. He was placed under arrest, police said.

Detectives approached Angel Figueroa and asked if he was there to purchase narcotics. He then admitted he was and he was placed under arrest, police said.

All parties were transported to police headquarters for processing. A field test was conducted on a small portion of the suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana, which resulted in a positive reaction for cocaine and a positive reaction for THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana, police said.