Major Heroin Distribution Networks Shut Down In New Jersey

by Patricia A. Miller

Two major heroin distribution networks in Southern New jersey have been halted with the arrest of 34 people who were responsible for importing roughly 50,000 doses into Ocean County each week, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

“These simultaneous operations are incredible investigative feats,” Coronato said. ” Beyond the approximate street value of over $325,000 in heroin seized during operations “Broken Rule” and “Sin City”, this outstanding Law Enforcement partnership has extended the reach and effectiveness of Ocean County law enforcement far beyond our borders.”

Multiple law enforcement agencies - including the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Operations Group - and federal, state, county and local departments - participated in the massive investigations, which began in December 2014 and ended this week, he said.

The investigations focused on high level heroin distributors that were operating in Union, Ocean, Monmouth and Atlantic counties and Philadelphia. Forty additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the Special Operations Group.

The two heroin networks imported more than a kilogram of heroin, or 50,000 individual doses into Ocean County every week.

The investigation identified Jonathan Gonzalez, 32, a.k.a. “Sin” of Pleasantville and Toms River as allegedly managing and directing a heroin distribution network in Ocean and Atlantic counties. The investigation revealed that Mr. Gonzalez was bringing in pre-packaged and raw or uncut heroin into Ocean County for distribution.

The investigation identified locations in Toms River where Gonzalez and members of his network would prepare and package the raw or uncut heroin for re-distribution into individual dosage units.

The “Sin City” operation culminated during the evening hours of April 23, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group surveilled Mr. Gonzalez along with Faythe Darling, 29, of Toms River and Miasia S. Johnson, 21, of Barnegat returning from Philadelphia with quantities of raw, uncut heroin, as well as packaging materials used to convert raw heroin into individual dosage units.

Members of the Special Operations Group, along with members of the Manchester Police Department, conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle utilized by Mr. Gonzalez and two other aforementioned Ocean County residents on Route 70 in the area of Route 539 in Manchester Township that resulted in their arrest on various drug charges.

Members of the Special Operations Group and the partnering law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in Toms River, Barnegat, South Toms River, Brick Township and Pleasantville, NJ. The “Sin City” warrants resulted in the seizure of 25 grams of raw heroin, quantities of pre-packaged heroin, cash, packaging materials associated with the preparation, packaging and distribution of heroin. Police also searched and seized four motor vehicles that were identified as being utilized by this drug distribution network.

The second operation “Broken Rule” resulted in the arrest of Ocean County residents Bertrick Artis, 45, a.k.a. “King Rule” (hence the name “Broken Rule”), Lakewood and his son, Ashzon Artis, 25, Lakewood for importing heroin from the Elizabeth, New Jersey area into Ocean County.

Operation “Broken Rule” culminated during the evening hours of March 31, 2015, when detectives from the Special Operations Group teamed up with members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and members of the Elizabeth Police Department.

The investigation led Ocean County Detectives to a mall in Elizabeth where Bertrick Artis, Ashzon Artis and Angelique Morris, 23, of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County were attempting to purchase quantities of heroin from Javier Cruz, 25, and Kennin Chavez, 19, from the Bronx. Detectives from the Special Operations Group, Union County Narcotics Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department subsequently arrested the three, who were taken back to Ocean County. Their arrests were not announced earlier so as not to jeopardize the continuing “Sin City” operation, Coronato said.

Special Operations Group members and the partnering law enforcement agencies simultaneously executed five search warrants in Lakewood, Toms River, Lakehurst, Barnegat, Ocean Township (Waretown) and Jackson Township.

Police seized large amounts of heroin, cash, several illegal firearms, including an assault-style firearm and packaging materials associated with the distribution of heroin during the “Broken Rule“ search warrant, along with 10 motor vehicles used by the drug distribution network, he said.

Both operations yielded the arrest of 34 individuals on various drug and weapons charges, seizure of 31,000 individual dosage units of heroin, approximately 25 grams of raw heroin, approximately $140,000 in cash, 14 motor vehicles -one of which was equipped with an electronic “TRAP” used to hide CDS -six firearms to include a TEC- 9 assault weapon ( and materials consistent with a CDS manufacturing and production facility.

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming, Coronato said.

Those arrested in Operation Broken Rule include:

Bertrick “King Rule” Artis , 45, 242 John Street, Lakewood. His bail was set at $650,000 cash. He was charged with three counts of possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute over one half ounce, distribution of heroin over one half ounce, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroi.,

Ashzon Artis , 25, 1152 Anthony Court, Lakewood. His bail was set at $400,000 cash. He was charged with possession, possession with intent, distribution under a half ounce of heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin, possession of heroin and possession with intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Angelique N. Morris , 23, 15 Williams Street, Tinton Falls. Her bail was set at $400,000 cash. She was charged with possession of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin and conspiracy to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Joseph Collins, 37, 119 Oregon Avenue, Waretown. His bail was set at $250,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Javier Cruz , 25, 2144 Bronx Park East, Bronx. His bail was set at $250,000 cash. He was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent over five ounces of heroin and distribution of heroin over five ounces.
2144 Bronx Park East, Apt B1, Bronx, NY 10462

Kennin Chavez, 19, 2899 Kingsbridge Terrace, Bronx. His bail was set at $250,000 cash. He was charged with possession of heroin , possession with intent over five ounces of heroin and distributions of over five ounces of heroin.

Tora Evans, 41, 299 Sawmill Road, Brick. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Tira Fisher, 34, 1321 Paris Court, Lakewood. She was released on a summons. She was charged with possession of marijuana 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rayquan Hagan, 19, 2250 West County Line Road, Jackson. His bail was set at $250,000 cash. He was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute under half an ounce of heroin, possession of unprescribed Percocet, possession of crack cocaine, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon during a CDS offense and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Jalisha M. Rivera, 22, 2250 West County Line Road. her bail was set at $30,000 cash. she was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute under one half ounce of heroin, possession of unprescribed Percocet, possession of crack cocaine.

Kevin Hunter, 26, 1411 New Hampshire Avenue, Lakewood. His bail was set at $200,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy with intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Tarell Jones,25, 131 East 7th Street, Lakewood. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Jason Livingston, 34, 160 James Street, Toms River. His bail was set at 200,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Monik Powell, 40, 242 John Street, Lakewood. She was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and released on a summons.

Toni Sisler, 27, 209 Sinclair Avenue, Lanoka Harbor. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin

Daren Smith, 47, 30 Potomac Drive, Barnegat. His bail was set at $200,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Anthony Wright Jr., 21, 1152 Anthony Court Lakewood. His bail was set at $100,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Michael Harris, 24, 156 Lucy Road, Lakewood, is a fugitive from justice. His bail has been set at $200,00 cash. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Michael Harris are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Those arrested in Operation Sin City include:

Jonathan “Sin” Gonzalez, 32, 225 West Leeds Road, Pleasantville. His bail was set at $600,000 cash. He was charged with leader of a narcotics trafficking network, maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession with intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin, conspiracy to distribute over five ounces of heroin, three counts of possession of heroin, and distribution of over one half ounce of heroin.

Joseph Gonzalez - 20, 22 Greenwood Loop Road, Brick. His bail was set at $75,000 cash. He was charged with possession, possession with intent, and distribution of less than one half ounce of heroin.

Joseph Cruz 31, 220 9th Street, Lakewood. His bail was set at $300,000 with no ten percent. He was charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute over half an ounce of cocaine, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Joseph Cruz are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Kellyann Lomberk, 35, 18B Amesbury Way, Manchester. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She is charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin, possession of heroin, possession with intent under one half ounce of heroin and distribution of under half an ounce of heroin.

Adam Bertolo, 34, 18 Locust Road, Howell. His bail was stet at $150,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Alicia D. Noble, 25, 225 West Leeds Road, Pleasantville. She was charged with possession of cocaine and possesion of less than 50 grams of marijuana and released on a summons.

Oniesha T. Noble, 19, 225 West Leeds Road, Pleasantville. She was charged with less than 50 grams of marijuana.
225 West Leeds Road, Apartment 10, Pleasantville, NJ 08232

Jaclyn Guzman, 24, Rodeway Inn, Toms River. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Melanie Cornelisse, 44, River Drive Toms River. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Lori Kemerson-Mackey 45, 424 Morris Boulevard. Her bail was set at $150,000 cash. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Amber Pomponio, 26, 424 Morris Boulevard, Toms River. Her bail was set at $100,000. She was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin. She is fugitive from justice. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Amber Pomponio are asked to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group at 732-341-6150.

Rachelle Porter, 32, 159 Attison Avenue, South Toms River. Her bail was set at $75,000 cash. She is charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Joshua Maken, 21, Rodeway Inn, Toms River. His bail was set at $75,000 cash. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over five ounces of heroin.

Miasia S. Johnson , 21 Village Drive, Barnegat. She was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute less than half an ounce of heroin.

Jennifer A. Swain, 39, 3116 Victor Avenue, Toms River. She was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of heroin and possession with intent to distribute less than half an ounce of heroin.

Faythe A. Darling, 29, 224 Swan Boulevard, Toms River. she was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of heroin, possession with intent to distribute less than half an ounce of heroin and maintaining or operating
a controlled dangerous substance production facility

Timothy S. Mackey, 45, 424 Morris Boulevard, Toms River. He was arrested on a summons and charged with possession of less than half an ounce of heroin, possession with intent to distribute less than half an ounce of heroin.

Calvin L. Hardy, 32, 68 Center Street, Toms River. He was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute less than half an ounce of heroin.