16 ‘Gang Members’ Charged In Alleged Newark Drug Ring

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities have charged 16 people who allegedly had roles in a “drug trafficking organization” that distributed heroin and crack cocaine in Newark. The accused include residents of Newark, East Orange and Vauxhall.

The alleged drug ring was comprised of members of the “Brick City Brim” set of the Bloods street gang, federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

The 16 defendants were allegedly members of a drug trafficking organization that sold heroin and crack-cocaine in Newark, including the area around Hayes Street and 14th Avenue near a development owned by the New Community Corporation, a nonprofit active in local revitalization efforts, prosecutors stated.

A police investigation allegedly revealed that in addition to selling narcotics, members of the organization alerted each other to police and rival gang member or drug dealer presence within their area, shared a narcotics supply, proceeds and customers, and raised bail money for each other, prosecutors said.

An investigation led by the FBI utilized physical and video surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, dozens of controlled narcotics purchases, record checks, narcotics seizures including heroin, and multiple telephone wiretaps, prosecutors said.

The following defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin:

• Anthony Brinson, 27; Kayron Caldwell, 26; Calvin Cheek, 47; Murad Fleming, 18; Sherod Green, 25; Jaquwin Marlin, 30; Khalif Nash, 20; Zahir Nash, 19; Dimani Newby, 25; Nasir Sanders, 21; Shawn Scott, 32; Kahlid Windley, 31; Stephan Young, 19; all of Newark
• Jeray Alson, 28, of Vauxhall

In addition, Furad Loyal, 30, of Newark, was charged with one count of illegal possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Sean Collins, 50, of East Orange, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams of “cocaine base.”

Prosecutors said that the drug trafficking conspiracy counts carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The illegal possession of a firearm count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

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