Drug Gang Sold Fentanyl, Crack Near Housing Complex In Newark, Feds Allege

NEWARK, NJ — Federal prosecutors are accusing dozens of people of being part of a drug trafficking gang that sold large quantities of narcotics near a housing complex in Newark, including fentanyl and crack-cocaine.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced charges against 30 suspects in connection with the ring, which allegedly operated near the Kretchmer Homes housing complex along Frelinghuysen Avenue.

The charges include conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 280 grams or more of cocaine base, in addition to multiple firearms and “substantive narcotics offenses,” prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, 17 of the suspects were arrested this week and are scheduled for court appearances, and eight defendants were already in federal or state custody. Meanwhile, four suspects remained at-large as of Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the charges and arrests are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation. See the list of suspects and charges below.

Authorities released the following allegations earlier this week:

“The defendants are members of a drug trafficking organization that operates an open-air narcotics market in and around the area of Kretchmer Homes – a public housing complex positioned along the 900-block of Frelinghuysen Avenue (the ‘Frelinghuysen DTO’). Many members of the Frelinghuysen DTO are affiliated with a neighborhood-based street gang, comprised largely of members and associates of the Bloods street gang, who pledge their allegiance, first and foremost, to the neighborhood surrounding the 900-block of Frelinghuysen Avenue.”

Prosecutors continued:

“Law enforcement used investigative techniques including, but not limited to, wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics by confidential informants and undercover law enforcement officers, telephone record analysis, and physical and fixed surveillance, among other lawful means of investigation. The investigation revealed that the Frelinghuysen DTO distributes large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base in this public housing community. Moreover, the investigation revealed, through seizure of multiple firearms, that members of the Frelinghuysen DTO use firearms to protect their drug supply and proceeds.”

The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), which was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of “combatting violent crime in and around Newark.”

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