Burlington County Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Role in International Drug Trafficking

A Mt. Laurel man was sentenced to 16 years in prison, including eight years of parole ineligibility, for his role in an international drug ring that saw multiple kilograms of cocaine shipped from California to New Jersey, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced on Friday.

James C. McBride, 41, was one of 15 people, including five South Jersey residents, indicted in connection with the drug ring, based in Jamaica.

He pleaded guilty on Oct. 20 to first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

McBride was arrested at the Cherry Hill Mall on March 15, 2013 after taking delivery of a box containing three kilograms of cocaine from another alleged ring member.

The indictment was the result of “Operation Next Day Air,” a multi-agency investigation led by the New Jersey State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Division of Criminal Justice.

In the course of the investigation, detectives recovered more than 26 kilograms of cocaine, worth approximately $780,000, two handguns, and more than $500,000 in cash.

“The evidence seized in this case speaks to the huge volume of cocaine being sold in New Jersey by these drug traffickers, including McBride,” Hoffman said. “Targeting the leaders and other key players in these major supply rings is the surest way to strike at the source of the drugs that are ruining lives and tearing apart communities in New Jersey.”

“A lengthy prison sentence such as this sends a clear message that dealing in illegal narcotics will not be tolerated,” Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division said. “This investigation highlights that international borders will not deter law enforcement from pursuing those who seek to break the law.”

The investigation targeted the ring’s shipment of large quantities of cocaine through parcel delivery services to New Jersey for bulk distribution to other narcotics suppliers and dealers.

Andrew Davis, 36, of Kingston Jamaica (formerly of Sewell) allegedly led the organization’s drug trafficking activities from various locations in Jamaica, California and New Jersey, along with his brother Kemar Davis, 24, of Hollywood, California.

The investigation began in March 2011, when detectives and agents from the Camden High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office seized two packages from a mail facility in Marlton.

The packages were allegedly scheduled to be shipped to Andrew Davis and co-defendant Marsha G. Bernard, 33, of Cherry Hill. Each package contained four kilograms of cocaine.

In December 2012, Andrew and Kemar Davis traveled to Jamaica. Andrew remained in Jamaica, but he allegedly continued to control the ring’s activities by directing Kemar and others.

Kemar returned to the U.S. and oversaw the shipment of kilogram quantities of cocaine from California to New Jersey.

Bernard and other defendants allegedly received the drugs and distributed them to dealers in New Jersey, under the direction of the Davis brothers.

Bernard allegedly handled the drug proceeds, sending them to Andrew Davis in Jamaica and Kemar Davis in California.

When McBride was arrested in March 2013, he was meeting co-defendant Sidonie McLeod, 29, of Cherry Hill, who allegedly delivered the three kilograms of cocaine. She also was arrested at the scene.

Andrew and Kemar Davis face pending charges including a first-degree charge of leading a narcotics trafficking network, which carries a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

The indictment is pending against most of the other defendants, who face charges including first-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine and launder money, which carries a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

The attached photo of James C. McBride was provided by the Attorney General.