48 Nabbed In 3 NJ Busts, 400 Pounds Of Deadly Drugs Found

Forty-eight people have been busted recently in three different drug operations that involved more than 400 pounds of heroin and other drugs, according to New Jersey law enforcement officials.

Forty one people were arrested and four guns, 363 decks of heroin, 345 vials of cocaine and 27 bags plastic bags of marijuana were recovered in one ongoing narcotics and guns operation conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5. Mosts of the arrests were in Newark, officials said.

Also, a Miami man on Tuesday also admitted his role in a recent conspiracy to distribute over 45 kilograms — about 100 pounds — of narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and morphine. He was arrested with four others connected with that operation, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

And, two New Jersey men on Tuesday admitted their roles in a conspiracy to distribute 140 kilograms — about 300 pounds — of narcotics in New Jersey over the summer, Fitzpatrick said.

The Newark operation, which was launched in response to citizen complaints, has resulted in the removal of $11,580 in drugs from the streets, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said.

On Monday, Oct. 30, police arrested Jakim Fields, 20, and Alytilyah Butler, 21, both of Newark, for possession of two loaded handguns.

At approximately 4:50 p.m. on that day, police responded to Pine Grove Terrace, near South Orange Avenue, on a call of individuals in the area with handguns. Officers observed two men, Jakim Fields and Khabir Shepard, and a woman, Alytilyah Butler, who fit the description of the suspects, police said.

Fields was observed with a loaded .45 caliber handgun and was immediately arrested. Alytilyah Butler was also in possession of a loaded .380 caliber handgun, police said.

Jakim Fields and Alytilyah Butler are each charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Khabir Shepard is charged with hindering apprehension and contempt of court on an outstanding warrant.

On Thursday, Nov. 2, Jahied Griffith, 19, of Newark was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving stolen property after police observed him with a gun in the 600-block of South 20th Street. The weapon, a loaded 9mm firearm, had been reported stolen out of Pennsylvania.

On Sunday, Nov. 5th, police observed narcotics sales in the area of Mount Pleasant Avenue near 3rd Avenue. The suspects were seen selling drugs from a vacant apartment, where police recovered 122 decks of heroin, 39 vials of cocaine, and 46 grams of marijuana.

Police also recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. Seven people were taken into custody, including a 15-year old and a 17-year old who are both from Newark, police said. Along with the juveniles, the following people were arrested: David F. Taylor, 21, Donald Brown, 31, Arthur Qualls, 18, Ronald A. Terry, 26, all of Newark, and Kevin A. Bell, 24, of Irvington.

Included in last week’s arrests are 17 individuals apprehended for contempt of court on outstanding warrants, 16 narcotics-related arrests and others arrested for CDS possession, CDS distribution or wandering to purchase CDS, authorities said.

In the Miami case, Sauro D. Estevez Figueredo, 49, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court Tuesday to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and morphine, according to the US. Attorney's Office.

Figueredo was originally arrested with Edwin Alamo Jr., 22, Emmanuel Gonzalez, 33, both of the Bronx; Alberto Mora, 53, of Morriston, Fla., and Porfirio Peralta-Nunez, 38, of Jersey City in February 2016. All five defendants have since pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug distribution conspiracy.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Law enforcement observed a tractor trailer, driven by Figueredo and Mora, parked at an intersection near a store in Clifton on Feb. 5, 2016. That afternoon, Gonzalez and Alamo drove to the tractor trailer and left with a suitcase given to them by Mora. Later, Peralta-Nunez arrived at the tractor trailer with two empty bags and left shortly afterwards with the bags filled.

Figueredo admitted that he collected narcotics and transported them via tractor trailer to New Jersey. He also admitted that Mora handed out a suitcase with 22 kilograms of heroin and afterwards, another conspirator took two bags containing fentanyl, morphine and heroin from the tractor trailer.

He also admitted that there were two additional bags on the tractor trailer – one that contained 10 kilograms of fentanyl and one that contained 10 kilograms of cocaine.

The drug distribution conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Figueredo’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2018.

In the summertime drug operation, Gemal Singleton, 27, of Edison, and Siddeeq Q. Williams, 39, of Cranford pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court on Tuesday to separate informations charging them each with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine. Williams also pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting federal officers.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Singleton, Williams, and others arranged for cocaine and heroin to be shipped to New Jersey via tractor trailer. On Aug. 27, the tractor trailer arrived in New Jersey and law enforcement conducted a vehicle stop after the driver committed several traffic violations.

A subsequent search of the tractor-trailer recovered five large duffle bags containing a total of 56 kilograms of heroin and 85 kilograms of cocaine. Singleton and Williams admitted that they were supposed to meet the tractor-trailer to collect the narcotics for eventual distribution.

Later that month, law enforcement went to speak with Singleton and Williams. Williams admitted that when two law enforcement officers operating an undercover vehicle attempted to pull him over, he sped away in a Honda Pilot. Williams also admitted that during the ensuing pursuit, he rammed the Pilot into the officers’ vehicle and drove away.

The drug conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The charge of assaulting a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2018.

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