5 Accused Gang Members Ran ‘Drug Market’ In Newark: Prosecutors

NEWARK, NJ — Five alleged gang members have been accused of running an “open-air narcotics market” in Newark, authorities announced Friday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the following allegations:

“The defendants are members of a drug trafficking organization that operated an open-air narcotics market in the area of Kent and Brenner streets in Newark. The drug trafficking organization is affiliated with, and the defendants are members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder subset of the Bloods street gang. When the defendants were arrested, law enforcement officers recovered multiple loaded firearms and additional quantities of narcotics.”

Federal prosecutors noted that an original complaint against the five Essex County residents was filed on Nov. 1. A superseding complaint was filed on Nov. 9, charging some of the defendants with gun offenses.

Prosecutors said that Fuquan Williams, 33, Dwight Dixon, 52, Nafee Patterson, 41, Jabriel Mason, 20, and Daqwuan Barkley, 29, were charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Patterson was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

Williams was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Mason, Patterson, and Barkley have been ordered released on bail, while Williams, and Dixon remain detained pending trial, authorities said.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative, prosecutors said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.