Large-Scale Drug Ring Busted In Somerset, Middlesex Counties

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A total of 19 people — including a Hillsborough drug ring leader — were arrested, and 21 firearms and $370,000 worth of cocaine, heroin, meth, oxycodone pills and other drugs were seized from Somerset and Middlesex county homes.

Robert Cardinal, 40 and Georgiann Cardinal (Robert’s mother), 69, both of Center Street, Dunellen, Timothy Jenkins aka: “TJ”, 47, of Tall Oak Lane, Hillsborough Township, Leon Blue, Jr., 52, of Sunset Street, Dumont and Michael Wayne, aka: “Low Rider Mike”, 42, of LaTourette Avenue, South Bound Brook were all arrested following a five month long investigation for dealing drugs and firearms in the Somerset and Middlesex County area, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.

Authorities executed seven search warrants in Somerset, Middlesex and Bergen counties including the homes of those arrested (listed above).

Following the search, police found 1,322 grams (more than 1 kilogram) of cocaine, approximately 1,500 grams (more than 1 kilogram) of methamphetamine, approximately 1 pound of marijuana, 2,010 bags of heroin, 298 Oxycodone pills, six Roxycodone pills, 48 morphine pills, 15 ecstasy pills, 247 Suboxone films, 294 unidentified pills, a hydraulic kilo-press and various other drug manufacturing equipment, Robertson said.

Investigators also found approximately $98,159 in cash, 19 total firearms to include: nine handguns (loaded 9mm Taurus, two 92A1 9mm Berettas, .22 cal RG Industries revolver, .44 cal Ruger revolver, .22 cal Ruger SR22P, .327 cal Ruger SP101 revolver, .22lr Smith & Wesson MP22, and 45ACP FHN FNX-45); four rifles (.22 cal Marlin, Savage rifle, .30-06 Remington Arms and .30-30 Stevens); four shotguns (two Ithaca 12 gauges, M&R 20 gauge, and a loaded Mossberg 20 gauge); and two assault weapons (one .556/.223 AR15 platform assault rifle and one 308 caliber AR10 platform assault rifle), Robertson said.

Nine vehicles were also reportedly seized.

Based upon current trends, the cocaine seized has an estimated street value of $84,000, the methamphetamine seized has an estimated street value of $255,000, the heroin seized has an estimated street value of $14,070, the assorted pills have an estimated street value of $12,735 and the Suboxone films have an estimated street value of $4,940.

• Cardinal was charged with first degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree promoting organized street crime, first degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, third degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm, third degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree financial facilitation of criminal activity and second degree conspiracy.
• Jenkins was charged with first degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree promoting organized street crime, second degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, third degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree financial facilitation of criminal activity and second degree conspiracy.
• Blue, Jr. was charged with second degree promoting organized street crime, second degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree financial facilitation of criminal activity and second degree conspiracy.
• Wayne was charged with two counts of second degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm, third degree unlawful manufacture, transfer or sale of an assault firearm, fourth degree transfer or sale of a large capacity magazine and second degree conspiracy.
• Cardinal was charged with second degree promoting organized street crime, third degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree financial facilitation of criminal activity and second degree conspiracy.

Other people involved were also arrested and charged including:

• Anthony Alston, 38, of Emma Street, Elizabeth - second degree promoting organized street crime, third degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and second degree conspiracy.
• Eric Ward, 48, of Woodlawn Avenue, South River - third degree manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and third degree conspiracy.
• Anthony Mastroserio, 31, of Washington St, South Bound Brook - third degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm and third degree conspiracy, fourth degree transfer or sale of a large capacity magazine and third degree conspiracy.
• Kelly Smith, 52, of Tall Oak Lane Hillsborough – third degree receiving stolen property.

The following people have not been arrested but arrest warrants have been filed charging them with the following offenses:

• Shawn Page, 46, of West 116th Street, New York, New York – third degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third degree conspiracy.
• Andres Nazario, 49, of Oak Place, Piscataway - third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third degree conspiracy.
• William Keithley, 47, of Orlando Florida (last known address) - third degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm and third degree conspiracy.

The following people were all arrested and charged with third degree conspiracy and attempt to possess controlled dangerous substance(CDS):

• Alan Lisezewski, 35, of Vernon Court, Piscataway,
• Daniel O’Brien, 53, of Runyon Avenue, Piscataway,
• George Walling Jr., 27, of Arlington Avenue, Union Beach,
• Antonio Esposito, 55, of Bergen Street, South Plainfield,
• Arthur Kamenetsky, 33, of Harbour Club, Drive Parlin,
• Mark Hall, 33, of Giles Avenue Middlesex,
• Maria Saltsides, 37, of Lewis Street, Rahway,
• Gerald Sullivan, 59, of Hodge Road, in the Flagtown section of Hillsborough Township.

(Images via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: From left (top row) Georgiann Cardinal, 69, of Center Street, Dunellen, Timothy Jenkins aka: “TJ”, 47, of Tall Oak Lane, Hillsborough Township, Leon Blue, Jr., 52, of Sunset Street, Dumont. From left (bottom row) Robert Cardinal (Georgiann's son), 40, of Center Street, Dunellen and Michael Wayne, aka: “Low Rider Mike”, 42, of LaTourette Avenue, South Bound Brook

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