Feds Say They've Dismantled Major Bayshore Heroin Ring

CLIFFWOOD, NJ — The FBI and U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday they've dismantled a ring that was supplying "significant" quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Bayshore area of Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Much of the heroin was laced with fentanyl, the extremely lethal synthetic drug that can kill in even small doses.

Fifteen people in total were arrested: The drug ring's alleged main suppliers are from Pennsylvania, and they sold the product to two men in Perth Amboy. From there, the narcotics were distributed to underlings who live right here in the Bayshore area, in towns such as Cliffwood, Keansburg, Old Bridge, Belford and Union Beach, police say.

The feds say Gregory Gillens, a Pennsylvania man, was the main supplier. Gillens allegedly "regularly" sold the drugs to Guy Jackson, as well as Jackson's wife, Lashawn Mealing, both from Pennsylvania. From there, the drugs were sold to Richard Gethers and Deberal Rogers, both of Perth Amboy.

"Members of the conspiracy redistributed the heroin and cocaine (Gillens) supplied to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers and end users in the Bayshore area," said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. "This went on from May 2017 through November 2018, all along the Raritan Bayshore region of Middlesex and northern Monmouth counties."

The FBI intercepted telephone calls and text messages and also set up undercover purchases of "large" quantities of heroin and coke. Some of that heroin intercepted via controlled buys was tested, and lab results showed it contained fentanyl.

The FBI said they also intercepted numerous discussions between the crew, discussing the availability of quantities of heroin and cocaine, pricing, packaging, quantity and customer satisfaction. They said the ring tried to hide from law enforcement, including using prepaid cellular telephones with fictitious or no subscriber information, engaging in counter surveillance of law enforcement vehicles, using multiple vehicles to conduct narcotics transactions, discussing whether certain individuals might be cooperating with law enforcement and speaking in coded language.

The FBI said police departments in Union Beach, Matawan, Aberdeen, Holmdel, Hazlet, Keansburg and Highlands were instrumental in the investigation and the arrests, and thanked them for their work.

All 15 arrested are:

Guy Jackson, 46, of Effort, Pennsylvania

Gregory Gillens, 46, of Hillside, New Jersey (alleged main supplier)

Lashawn Mealing, 47, of Effort, Pennsylvania

Richard Gethers, 43, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Deberal Rogers, 46, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Krystal Cordoba, 33, of Elizabeth, New Jersey

Daniel Alfano, 44, of Keansburg, New Jersey

Daniel McHugh, 48, of Sayreville, New Jersey

Tyler Scarangello, 33, of Belford, New Jersey

David Nagy, 41, of Old Bridge, New Jersey

Christy Dube, 33, of Cliffwood, New Jersey

George Holiday, Sr., 47, of Union Beach, New Jersey

Daryl Jackson, 45, of Old Bridge, New Jersey

Shavar Williams, 43, of Cliffwood, New Jersey

Brian Hall, 47, of Howell, New Jersey

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