105 Charged In Two Large New Jersey Heroin Busts

More than 100 people have been charged in large New Jersey heroin and cocaine busts, targeting two sizable statewide networks, authorities announced this week.

The New Jersey State Police have charged 18 suspects responsible for operating a large drug trafficking organization, and another 31 were charged with various drug-related offenses as detectives seized more than 18,000 bags of heroin, five bags of cocaine, a pound of marijuana, and three handguns.

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Pitfall,” began in May of 2017 and targeted a drug trafficking organization that was largely based in Paterson. The group, known as the 4K Bloods/Korner Boyz, is a subset of the Bloods street gang, police said.

Detectives identified Jaumel Reese, 30, and Marvelous Pitts, 31, both of Paterson, as the leaders of the heroin trafficking ring. Reese and Pitts are both alleged members of the 4K Bloods street gang.

In another bust, police charged 56 people, recovered 5 guns and confiscated 1,324 decks of heroin, 101 vials of cocaine, 590 bags plastic bags of marijuana and 134 pills in an ongoing narcotics and guns bust conducted largely in Newark from Monday, November 13th to Sunday, November 19th, 2017.

In Operation Pitfall, Reese has been charged with being a leader of a narcotic trafficking network, distribution of heroin, employing a juvenile in a CDS distribution scheme, and possession of CDS on school property. Pitts, who is currently serving a sentence in Trenton State Prison, has been charged with distribution of heroin, possession of heroin, and possession of CDS on school property, according to the State Police.

On Saturday, November 19, State Police detectives and officers from partnering agencies carried out search and arrest warrants in Lodi, where they arrested Jesse Garcia, 27. As a result, troopers seized more than $20,000 in cash, more than 400 bags of heroin, and a handgun.

Garcia, also an alleged member of the 4K Bloods street gang, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun during a CDS offense, certain persons not to possess a handgun, distribution of heroin, and additional CDS offenses, police said.

“We’re losing thousands of lives to the opioid epidemic in New Jersey – over 2,000 overdose deaths in 2016 alone – and we will not rest in our efforts to stem that death toll, whether it be through arresting drug dealers, arresting doctors who behave like drug dealers, or dramatically reducing the opioid pain pills prescribed in New Jersey," according to Attorney General Chris Porrino.

Here are the drug operation leaders who were arrested in Operation Pitfall

• Jaumel Reese, 30, Passaic
• Marvelous Pitts, 31, Trenton State Prison
• Eric Huntington, 41, Paterson
• Herbert Pitts, 59, Paterson
• Jeffrey Hunter, 29, Paterson
• Jerome Deas, 38, Paterson
• Jesse Garcia, 27, Lodi
• Angela Whitehead, 31, Prospect Park
• Shaques Huntington, 23, Paterson
• Justin Jones, 23, Paterson
• Jahad Toney, 32, Paterson
• Jahmel Vaughn, 32, Paterson
• Branden Perry, 37, Paterson
• Davon Armstrong, 39, Paterson
• Markeith Davis, 47, Paterson
• Jonathan Cedeno, 21, Paterson
• Tariq Jackson, 24, Paterson

The Newark-based operation, meanwhile, was created in response to citizen complaints, resulting in the removal of a total of $28,020 in street value drugs and $3,308 confiscated as proceeds from drug sales last week, police said.

On Sunday, members of the Special Enforcement Bureau arrested Roberto Laslano, 31, of Jersey City for weapon possession, along with Patricia Ortiz, 40, and Denzell Arrington, 27, who were operating an illegal alcohol establishment, police said.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., police responded to a warehouse located at 690 Ferry Street in Newark and observed several individuals drinking alcoholic beverages. Upon becoming aware of police presence, Laslano attempted to flee, but was immediately apprehended. He was found in possession of a loaded and defaced .40 caliber handgun.

Also on Sunday, police arrested Eunique T. Anderson, 31, of East Orange after receiving an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip regarding a man with a gun in the area of Grand and Arsdale avenues. Upon becoming aware of police presence, the suspect, Eunique Anderson, placed a 9MM handgun inside a vehicle parked in the area, police said.

He was immediately arrested and was in possession of 20 glassine envelopes of heroin and $11.

On the same date, Deon A. Merchant, 19, of Newark, was arrested after police observed him with a gun in the area of Chancellor Avenue and Leslie Street.

On Friday, police arrested George J. Caldwell, 41, of Newark for possession of a handgun inside a vehicle that was pulled over at Fairmount and Springfield avenues. Officers patrolling the area conducted a random license plate check and determined that the driver, Caldwell, was in violation of motor vehicle laws by driving while suspended, police said.

Officers observed a gun inside the vehicle and Caldwell was immediately arrested.

Included in last week’s arrests are 16 individuals apprehended for contempt of court on outstanding warrants, 32 narcotics-related arrests and others arrested for CDS possession, CDS distribution or wandering to purchase CDS.

Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpd.org or through our new Smartphone App available at iTunes and Google Play. Search Newark Police Division to download the App.

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