19 Arrested In Deadly South Jersey Gang Bust

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ - A total of 19 people have been charged as part of a violent drug gang that sold a large amount of illegal drugs in South Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Wednesday. There were at least two fatal overdoses connected to the heroin sold as part of this conspiracy, authorities said.

In all, at least 280 grams of cocaine base, at least one kilogram of heroin, and other quantities of cocaine and fentanyl were sold as part of the conspiracy, which operated out of Camden.

Ten of those people were arrested as a part of a joint operation between federal and state law enforcement agencies, while eight remain at large, authorities said. Juan Figueroa, 21, of Camden, was already in custody. He was arrested in August after he and two other people shot at undercover agents who were conducting surveillance on this organization.

The operation launched in November 2016, and for about two years, authorities say the gang made a large amount of illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, readily available to customers in Camden.

Dealers would deliver the narcotics in shady business dealings with customers who approached in cars, others on foot, according to authorities. Some were sold to drug dealers in other areas.

They used guns to further their dealings. The operation launched in the 1900 block of Filmore Street, but police began to focus on that area in April 2017 after a fatal drug-involved shooting, according to documents filed in the case. The operation then moved to the 400-500 blocks of Pine Street.

Ronnie Lopez, 40, of Pennsauken, has been tabbed as one of the leaders of the organization by authorities. He gathered bulk quantities of the illegal drugs to be sold, authorities said.

Carlos Perez, 45, of Collingswood, and Nelson Salcedo, 48, of Camden, would then take those drugs and package them to be sold to customers, according to authorities.

Figueroa and Paul Salcedo, 28, of Camden, were among the “runners or managers” authorities said sent those packages down to “shift managers,” like 26-year-old Jose Diaz and 28-year-old Christopher Velazquez, both of Camden.

The “shift managers” supervised the organization’s set workers (listed below), who sold the drugs directly to customers, authorities allege. The set workers then gave the money to the “shift managers,” and the money continued its way back up the chain to the organization’s leaders.

Figueroa, Alexander DeJesus, of Philadelphia, and Ammar Hall, of Camden, were all arrested over the summer after an attack on what were previously described as two undercover Camden County police officers. They were in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car. They were parked at a stop light at the intersection of Broadway and Walnut streets in Camden at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, when they were approached by a van.

Two men got out of the van and fired 25 rounds at them in seven seconds. One of the officers fired back, and the men in the van, which was recovered the same night, fled. The three men were all captured in less than one week’s time.

Read more here: Final 2 Suspects In NJ Cop Shooting Captured: Police

On Wednesday, authorities revealed for the first time that these officers were conducting surveillance on this organization as part of an FBI-led investigation. That investigation included the use of surveillance, confidential informants, consensual recordings, multiple controlled drug purchases, record checks, a GPS vehicle tracker, and several court-authorized wiretaps.

In addition to those already named, the following people were charged with participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy on Wednesday:

• Ramon Velez, 43, of Camden;
• David Velez, 30, of Camden;
• Waldemar Garcia, 33, of Camden;
• Naeem Sadler, 18, of Camden;
• Kaliel Johnson, 26, of Camden;
• Jasmin Velez, 25, of Camden;
• Elisa Rivera, 28, of Camden;
• Meylin Troncoso, 31, of Camden;
• Dwight Williams, 27, of Mount Holly;
• William Carrillo, 44, of Camden;
• Jose Agron, 25, of Camden; and
• Jameel Byng, 25, of Camden.

Vazquez, Ramon Velez, David Velez, Garcia, Johnson, Troncoso and Agron all remain at large, according to authorities.

The drug trafficking conspiracy count carries a mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.

Figueroa was previously charged with:
1. 2 counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree
2. 2 counts of Aggravated Assault 2nd Degree (SBI)
3. 2 counts of Aggravated Assault 2nd Degree (Firing Weapon)
4. 2 counts of Aggravated Assault 4th Degree (Pointing)
5. Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose 2nd Degree
6. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree
7. Conspiracy to Commit Attempted Murder 2nd Degree
8. Certain Persons 2nd Degree (Prior Dist CDS School Property)

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