42 Indicted in Major Camden Drug Ring Involving Heroin and Cocaine

A State Grand Jury indicted 42 alleged drug dealers on charges including first-degree racketeering in “Operation North Pole,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced on Friday.

“Operation North Pole” targeted a violent narcotics distribution enterprise, with ties to Mexican drug cartels, that was dealing millions of dollars a year in heroin and cocaine in Camden.

Following the indictments, the total number of people charged is 56, including 14 who already have pleaded guilty and face prison sentences.

The enterprise allegedly was led by three brothers: Omar Urbina Sr., 40, of Philadelphia, Pa., Edwin Urbina, 38, of Camden, and Edward Urbina, 35, of Camden.

They allegedly controlled the open-air drug markets at and around the intersections of 4th and York Streets and 3rd and Erie Streets in North Camden, selling hundreds of thousands of dollars a month in heroin and cocaine.

They allegedly controlled this area for about 20 years, maintaining their territory through violence.

They are charged with leading a narcotics trafficking network, a first-degree crime carrying a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. In addition to first-degree racketeering, all of the defendants are charged with first-degree distribution of narcotics and/or possession with intent to distribute narcotics, as well as second-degree conspiracy.

The indictment charges four alleged suppliers for the enterprise, including Rigo Bello, 39, of Camden, who allegedly used his ties to Mexican drug cartels to act as the ring’s primary supplier of heroin and cocaine.

Bello remains at large.

The Urbinas allegedly not only distributed heroin and cocaine using their own packaging, but they also allowed others to “rent” certain blocks or corners to distribute their own drugs in a different type of packaging.

In return for cash payments, the Urbinas allegedly provided protection to the “tenants.”

Eric Serrano Jr., 30, of Pennsauken, allegedly acted as a conduit between the Urbinas and the rest of their group.

Individual tenants would pay upward of $50,000 per month for the privilege to deal drugs on the Urbinas turf. Several individuals allegedly held a higher status as “franchisers.”

These individuals, who showed loyalty to the Urbinas as caseworkers, would simply be allowed to purchase separate quantities of drugs to distribute on their own.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau conducted Operation North Pole with assistance from the Camden County Police Department-Metro Division, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsauken Police Department and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations in Cherry Hill. Numerous agencies, including the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, helped execute arrest and search warrants during the takedown of the ring in November 2013, when most of the defendants were arrested.

Detectives executed over a dozen search warrants in Operation North Pole, seizing more than $218,000 in cash, six guns and a first-degree quantity of cocaine. In addition, more than 10 vehicles were seized, including a “party bus.” The state has filed civil forfeiture actions with respect to the seized assets.

The defendants were lodged in the Camden County Jail after their arrests in November. Bail for each of the three Urbina brothers was set at $1 million. Bails for the other defendants range from $100,000 to $1 million.

The crime of leader of a narcotics trafficking network carries a sentence of life in state prison, including 25 years of parole ineligibility, and a criminal fine of up to $750,000. The crimes of first-degree racketeering and first-degree distribution or possession with intent to distribute narcotics carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, but for narcotics charges, the fine is up to $35,000. The money laundering charge carries an enhanced criminal fine of up to $500,000, and an additional anti-money laundering penalty of $250,000. Fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

For the complete list of defendants and what they were charged with, click here.

The image attached to this post was posted on the Attorney General’s website.