Gang Members Sold Drugs At Newark Intersection: Feds

NEWARK, NJ — Several gang members and associates have been accused of running an “open-air narcotics market” at an intersection in Newark, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Eight alleged members and associates of the “793 Bloods” street gang – a subset of the Bloods national gang – are facing charges for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in New Jersey’s largest city, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The eight defendants – all from Newark – allegedly conspired to sell drugs near South Orange and Isabella avenues. Law enforcement officers carried out “extensive surveillance” of the area and witnessed “numerous” drug sales as part of an investigation that lasted for months, authorities said.

According to prosecutors, Muta Bell, 33, Ibn Foster, 19, Xavion Miller, 19, Corey Wade, 32, Bazair White, 20, Yusef Milliron, 28, and Alshakur Robinson, 29, have been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Robert Franklin, 29, of Newark, has been charged in a separate complaint with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Bell, Foster, White and Robinson were arrested Wednesday. Bell, Foster and Robinson were detained; White was released on $100,000 unsecured bond. Wade and Franklin are currently detained in state custody and will make their appearances at a later date. Miller and Milliron remain at large, prosecutors said Wednesday.

As part of this same investigation, Fakhir Johnson, 20, and Samaj Collins, 20, both of Newark, New Jersey, were charged by complaint on Sept. 11, 2023. Johnson was charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Collins was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, prosecutors said.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative, which was 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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