Alleged Bloods Gang Leaders In Newark Area Indicted For Heroin Distribution (PHOTO)

NEWARK, NJ — A New Jersey state grand jury indicted 18 reputed gang members on heroin distribution charges after they allegedly created an “an organized hierarchy” that controlled drug traffic in the area of Stratford Place and the Grace West Manor Townhomes on Irvine Turner Boulevard in Newark, prosecutors announced Thursday.

In total, 27 suspects were indicted on charges that they were part of the gang-related drug network, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

Authorities charged 18 of the suspects with first-degree gang criminality as alleged members of the Red Breed Gorillas set of the Bloods street gang, prosecutors said.

The alleged gang members were arrested in January after a 10-month investigation led to a sting involving a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Newark Police Department and U.S. Marshals Task Force.

According to prosecutors:

“An organized hierarchy of the Red Breed Gorillas street gang [allegedly] controlled the drug distribution in the area of Stratford Place and the Grace West Manor Townhomes on Irvine Turner Boulevard in Newark, contributing to heightened violence and criminal activity in the area. The investigation revealed that individuals who were not members or affiliates of the Red Breed Gorillas were not allowed to sell drugs in that territory and faced violent retaliation if they did.”

Prosecutors said that Wednesday’s indictment included charges against three alleged “5-Star Generals” in the Red Breed Gorillas who allegedly supervised the drug network:

• Kevin Clayton, 26, of Newark
• Ramon Finklea, 29, of Newark
• Lyonel Finklea, 31, of Newark

In addition to Clayton and the Finkleas, 15 other alleged gang members were charged in the indictment with first-degree gang criminality.

Clayton and Ramon Finklea were also charged with first-degree promoting organized street crime.

Clayton was is charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun as a convicted felon in connection with a .357-caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun seized from his home during the execution of a search warrant.

All 27 suspects named in the indictment were charged with second-degree conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, as well as additonal second- and third-degree drug offenses, prosecutors said.

Each of the first-degree charges carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, prosecutors said.

Additional arrests included the following alleged gang members, prosecutors stated:

“Lieutenant”

• Jahob Loyal, 27, of Irvington

“Sergeants”

• Yasin Hamilton, 25, of Rahway
• Elijah Evans, 24, of Newark
• Quashyne Seburn, 25, of Newark
• Kevin Loyal, 28, of Newark
• Aljuquan Thomason, 24, of Newark

“Soldiers/Street-Level Dealers”

• Tyree Oxford, 23, of Newark
• Abdul Bryant, 20, of Newark
• Charlie Jones, 28, of Newark
• Nyreek Loyal, 22, of Irvington
• Yasim Smith, 20, of Newark
• Bryant Hawkins, 39, of Newark
• Jahwon Christian, 22, of Newark
• Tyree Williams, 20, of Newark
• Alquan Shells, 21, of Newark
• Naim Stewart, 23, of Newark
• Terrance Shells, 20, of Newark
• Darnell Cogman, 44, of Newark
• Tyre Sorbino, 18, of Newark
• Ramadan Daniels, 26, of Orange
• Bishop Jackson, 20, of Willingboro
• Wali Johnson, 29, of Newark
• John Doe, known as “Sid”
• John Doe, known as “Sha”

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File Photo: DEA