Manchester Man Charged In Drug-Trafficking Ring: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Manchester Township man and two Jackson Township residents were among 29 people charged in connection with a drug distribution and dogfighting ring that operated in Monmouth County, the Monmouth County prosecutor's office said.

Jose Mosely, aka "Brazy," 33, of Manchester, Xavier Reed, 30, and Kaniesha Bacon, 30, both of Jackson, were charged in roles in connection with what authorities described as "a vast criminal enterprise" that operated in Asbury Park, Neptune Township, Freehold and Lakewood.

The arrests resulted from an eight-month investigation dubbed "Operation Golden State" into gang criminality and organized street crime, resulting in charges related to racketeering, conspiracy, attempted murder, drug and gun trafficking and dogfighting.

Officers seized firearms, various quantities of cocaine and marijuana, 12 canines used in a dogfighting operation, and a vehicle used in criminal activity, authorities said.

The investigation centered around Reed, also known as "HS," was allegedly responsible for administering punishment, controlling revenue channels for heroin, cocaine, prescription pills and marijuana sales in a drug ring spanning Monmouth and Ocean counties. He was also reportedly involved in the administration of a dogfighting ring, which typically generated thousands of dollars during a single fight, which served as a way of funding the violent crime carried out by the group, prosecutors said.

Reed was charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, first-degree gang criminality, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree promotion of organized street crime, second-degree aggravated assault and a number of other charges.

Mosely has been charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (a firearm), first-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, the prosecutor's office said.

Bacon has been charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substance (marijuana).

The racketeering charges allege that the defendants engaged in a continuous pattern of interrelated criminal conduct, namely drug trafficking, gun trafficking and dogfighting, among other crimes. If convicted of first-degree racketeering, each defendant faces up to 20 years’ in prison.

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