Somerset, Middlesex County Heroin Ring Shut Down, 5 Arrested

SOMERSET, NJ — A heroin distribution ring that operated in Somerset and Middlesex counties was shut down and five people were arrested following a three-month investigation by authorities.

Operation "X" Out looked into the distribution of heroin in the Somerset and Middlesex County area, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Those arrested included:

1. Xavier Bailey, aka "X," 29, of Village Drive, Somerset – First-degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first-degree promoting organized street crime, second-degree possession of a firearm, second-degree endangering welfare of a child, first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third-degree money laundering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute or possess a controlled dangerous substance.
2. Viridiana Munoz, 30, of VillageDrive, Somerset – Second-degree endangering welfare of a child, second degree, possession of a firearm, first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third-degree money laundering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute or possess a controlled dangerous substance.
3. Derrick Johnson, 30, of Lyon Lane, Franklin Park – Two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree conspiracy to distribute or possess a controlled dangerous substance.
4. Harold Lagrone, 67, of Roberts Road, Somerset – Third-degree conspiracy to distribute or possess a controlled dangerous substance.
5. Titus Peters,Sr., 49, of Roberts Road, Somerset – Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and third-degree conspiracy to distribute or possess a controlled dangerous substance.

Following search warrants, police found about 10,026 wax folds of heroin, about half a pound of marijuana, a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson M&P handgun, four motor vehicles, one motorcycle, and $9,361 in cash of suspected drug proceeds, Robertson said.

The heroin seized has an estimated street value of $50,130 and the marijuana has an estimated street value of about $2,000.

The investigation was completed with the help of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Franklin Police Department, Somerset County SWAT team, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit, the New Brunswick Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Edison Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Bound Brook Police Department K-9 Unit.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is utilizing the STOPit app as a platform to allow concerned citizens to provide information about crimes occurring in Somerset County. This app is completely anonymous and users are able to "chat" in real time with law enforcement, as well as send images and videos about crime. The app also has a Get Help section that provides phone numbers and links to important resources available in Somerset County. The STOPit app can be downloaded to your smartphone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: "SOMERSETNJ".

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE". All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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