Indictments Returned in Connection With Large Scale Narcotics Investigation in Cape May County

A total of 15 people have been indicted in in connection with the “Operation Dreamchaser” investigation, a several month long large-scale narcotics investigation in which the Ocean City Police Department participated, beginning in January of this year.

The investigation resulted in numerous arrests on May 7.

Police also seized over 20,000 bags of heroin worth over $305,000 dollars; approximately four ounces of cocaine worth about $5,600; $348,903 in Unites States currency; 10 firearms, three of which were handguns; 25 vehicles; and two residential properties.

The indictment, announced by Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor on Thursday, includes the following charges:

• Javier Alicia-Garcia with first-degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network;
• Javier Alicia-Garcia, Ariel Rodriguez, Gadiel J. Santiago, and Melissa Lyston with first-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;
• Gadiel J. Santiago with second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a certain controlled dangerous substance crime, second-degree certain person not to have weapons, and fourth-degree prohibited devices;
• Gadiel J. Santiago, Vicente Alicea-Garcia, and Rafael Delgado with second-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;
• Javier Alicia-Garcia, Vicente Alicea-Garcia, Ariel Rodriguez, Gadiel J. Santiago, Melissa Lyston, Michael Kendrick, David Fessler, David A. Butler, Shawn M. Peterson, Joel Candelaria, Rafael Delgado, Janelle B. Lyston, Mario Pagan-Perez, Norman A. Rosario-Mastache, Juan Rodriguez-Roman, Christine V. Pagan, and Alvin Mercado-Osorio with second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance;
• Shawn Peterson and David Fessler with third-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance; and
• Jamie L. Krail with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking network carries a mandatory penalty, if convicted, of life imprisonment with a 25 year period of parole ineligibility. First-degree crimes carry a penalty of between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Second-degree crimes carry a penalty of between 5 and 10 years. Third-degree crimes carry a penalty of between 3 and 5 years.