Large Scale Investigation Results in Narcotics Charges in Cape May County

The Ocean City Police Department was among multiple law enforcement agencies that participated in Operation Dream Chaser, a large scale narcotics investigation that resulted in charges against 15 people and the seizure of drugs and money.

A total of 15 people were charged and over 16,000 bags of heroin worth over $281,000 dollars, and approximately four ounces of cocaine worth about $5,600, were seized following the execution of multiple search warrants throughout Cape May County.

A total of $156,235 in Unites States currency was also seized, as well as 10 firearms, three of which were handguns, Cape May County Prosecutor, Robert L. Taylor said.

Javier Alicia-Garcia, 33, of Ocean View, was charged with first degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance and second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Bail was set at $500,000.

Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network carries a mandatory penalty, if convicted, of life imprisonment with a 25 year period of parole ineligibility.

Melissa Lyston, 29, of Ocean View, and Ariel Rodriguez, 21, of Philadelphia, were charged with first degree manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance and second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Bail for each was set at $500,000.

Gadiel Santiago, 34, of the Villas, was charged with first degree manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance, second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense and second degree certain persons not to possess. Bail was set at $500,000.

Vicente Alicia-Garcia, 35, of Wildwood; Jeanelle Lyston, 61, of North Cape May; David Fessler, 34, of Wildwood; Michael Kendrick, 41, of Cape May Court House; David Butler, 66, of Wildwood; Joel Candelaria, 27, of Wildwood; Rafael Delgado, 54, of Wildwood; Shawn Peterson, 36, of North Cape May; and Erika Andrews, 29, of Wildwood were also charged following Thursday’s raids.

They were each charged with second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and third degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance.

Bail for Alicia-Garcia, Fessler, Kendrick, Butler, Candelaria, Delgado, Peterson and Jeanelle Lyston was set at $250,000.

Andrews was released on a summons.

Steve Lyston, 59, of North Cape May, was charged with possession of marijuana as part of the investigation. He was released on a summons.

Jamie Krail, 38, of Del Haven, was charged with possession of cocaine and released on a summons.

First degree crimes carry a penalty of between 10 and 20 years New Jersey State Prison.

Second degree crimes carry a penalty of between 5 and 10 years, and third degree crimes carry a penalty of between 3 and 5 years.

Search warrants were executed at one location in Ocean View, four locations in Wildwood, one location in the Villas, two locations in North Cape May and two locations in Rio Grande.

Search warrants were also executed on 20 motor vehicles, five Quads and three motorcycles, which were seized, and two storage units.

Searches will continue, and forfeiture of assets used in these alleged crimes will be sought through court filings, Taylor said.