Authorities Break Up Multi-County Marijuana Distribution Ring

Fourteen people from four North Jersey counties were arrested and $267,000, 10 pounds of marijuana, and 1,000 grams of candy laced with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, after a four-month long investigation, authorities announced Monday.

The drugs were seized after authorities executed search warrants at residences in Oakland, Hewitt, Glenwood, Maywood, Bloomingdale, Haskell, Morris Plains and Ringwood, and a hotel in Morris County Sunday, said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

Authorities also seized $267,000 in cash, several bongs, heat and vacuum sealers, scales, and plastic bags used to package and sale illegal substances, from the residences, Valdes said.

Authorities allege that Darren Richardson and Beatrice Ramirez would mail large amounts of money to California and that Richardson would travel there to arrange marijuana be shipped to New Jersey, the prosecutor said.

Once the marijuana arrived, Richardson and Ramirez would allegedly take it to Morris Plains and prepare to give it to homes and people in Passaic, Bergen, Morris, and Sussex counties, authorities said.

Richardson, 33, of Haskell, was charged with being a leader of a narcotics trafficking network. Ramirez, 23, of Ringwood, and Richardson were charged with financial facilitation of criminal activity.

Giovannie Henderson, 29, of Morris Plains, was charged with maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in a quantity of five pounds or more, authorities said.

The charges filed against the following individuals ranged from maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility to possession of marijuana, Valdes said. Additional charges are pending.

• Linda Ramirez, 20, of Ringwood
• Dylan Jung, 20, of Haskell
• Gavin Nazzaro, 23, of Ringwood
• Haythem Mohamed-Ahmed, 20, of Bloomingdale
• Matthew Kozuch, 22, of Ringwood
• Russell Licht, 21, of Maywood
• Giovannie Henderson, 29, of Morris Plains
• Daniel Ramirez, 23, of Ringwood
• Mark Iannacone, 48, of Glenwood
• Henry Nowinski, 21, of West Milford
• Janelle Locket, 28, of Parsippany
• Jesse Baron, 36, of Oakland

Richardson's bail was set at $500,000, all cash; Ramirez's bail was set at $350,000 with no 10 percent option, authorities said.

The following police departments assisted in the executive of the search and arrest warrants: Wanaque, Bloomingdale, Ringwood, Wayne, West Milford, Passaic, Vernon, Totowa, Oakland, and Parsippany. The Passaic County Sheriff's Department, Morris and Sussex county prosecutor's offices, the Montclair State University Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photos: The individuals arrested and charged as a result of a four-month long investigation by several North Jersey police departments. Passaic County Prosecutor's Office