25 Arrests In Operation Transformer NJ Heroin Bust; Manhunt For 4

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

NEW JERSEY – A large New Jersey manhunt is underway for four suspects just as 25 people have been arrested in a multi-county heroin bust called "Operation Transformer," prosecutors announced on Wednesday.

The bust led to the seizure of approximately 70 grams of raw heroin, approximately 2,500 bags of packaged heroin, approximately 1 ounce of cocaine, a Charter Arms .38 caliber handgun, $5,050.00 in U.S. currency and numerous items utilized for drug manufacturing, according to authorities.

Those items include empty wax folds, ink pads, various brands of stampers utilized to identify heroin, sifters, scales, packaging material, rubber bands and cutting agents, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

The heroin seized has an estimated street value of $30,000 and the cocaine seized has an estimated street value of approximately $1,300, the SCPO said.

The following individuals were arrested following a four-month investigation into the distribution of heroin primarily in Central and North Jersey:

• Ibe Allah, 53, of North Brunswick; an alleged leader of the narcotics trafficking network
• Clifford Christian, 55, of New Brunswick
• Daniel Brown, 39, of Spotswood; an alleged leader of the narcotics trafficking network
• Robert Byrom, 62, New Brunswick
• Christine Peritore, 45, of Edison
• Shaday Gordon, 33 of Highland Park
• Hassan Cooper, 31, of New Brunswick
• (removed)
• Jermaine L. Robinson Jr., 26, of Somerset
• Laquan Hill, 30, of New Brunswick
• Darrell Williams, 42, of New Brunswick
• Dwight Beckett, 56, of Somerset
• Sanford James, 48, of New Brunswick

All face charges connected to the heroin bust while Giachetti and Peritore were also charged with endandering the welfare of a child.

The busts began on Oct. 23 when investigators executed eight Superior Court-issued search warrants to include the residences of Brown, Cooper, Gordon, James, Peritore and Giachetti, according to the SCPO.

The stamps seized included these stamps: "Transformers," "Major League Baseball," "Jumpman," "Elmo with Love," "Tango and Cash," "Tiger Woods," "Kill Bill," "Joy & Pain," "Dope Dick," "Block Buster" and "Cadillac," the SCPO said.

Cooper and Brown were additionally charged with first-degree armed robbery for their roles during a home invasion in Plainfield, which occurred on Thursday, Oct. 3, the SCPO said

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the following individuals were arrested for third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance:

• Hazel Johnson, 40, of North Brunswick
• Derek Andrews, 55, of New Brunswick
• Doussou Karibuhoye-Said, 25,of Plainsboro
• Irving Figueroa, 31, of New Brunswick
• Joseph Langone, 48, of Spotswood
• Jose Medero-Lopez, 50, of New Brunswick
• Jose Cotto, 49, of New Brunswick
• Omar Narvaez-Mata, 30, of Linden
• Thomas Newsom, 66, of Somerset
• Angel Oquendo, 56, of New Brunswick
• Lemont Pringle, 44, of Sayreville
• Douglas Stephens, 64, of Plainsboro

The following individuals were charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance but have not been arrested. Investigators continue to search for them:

• Angel Pena, 69, of Somerset
• Timothy Glover, 50, of Somerset
• Travis Best, 51, of New Brunswick
• Robert Friedman, age 55, Briarwood Drive, Somerset

If any agency is requesting further information regarding the seized stamps, please contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 and request to speak with Det. John Dugan or Det. John Tuchmatulin.

Prosecutors request that anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force Unit at 908-231-7100 or use the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos.

STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Anonymous information can also be provided via the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) All STOPit reports and Crime Stoppers’ tips will be kept confidential.