10 Busted In Heroin Distribution Ring In Mercer County: Authorities

A total of 10 people were arrested in connection with a drug trafficking organization that allegedly distributed hundreds of grams of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding areas, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said on Thursday.

Ishmael Abdullah, a/k/a “Ish,” a/k/a “Gangsta,” a/k/a “Papi,” 26, of Trenton, was the alleged leader of what Fishman called the “Abdullah DTO” that operated in the area of Spring and Passaic streets in Trenton.

Six people charged in the complaint were arrested Thursday morning as part of a coordinated takedown by federal and local law enforcement authorities.

Two more are already incarcerated on pending state charges and parole violations, and two more remain at large.

In addition to Ishmael Abdullah, each of the following people are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin:

• Keith Hunter, a/k/a “Meech,” 24, of Trenton, still at large;
• Jose Joaquin Torres-Mezquita, a/k/a “Alex Torres,” a/k/a “Papi,” a/k/a “Pa,” a/k/a “Pop,” 30, of Philadelphia;
• Bernadino Guervil, a/k/a “BG,” 28, of Trenton;
• Elijah Abdullah, a/k/a “Uncle E,” a/k/a “E,” 21, of Trenton, still at large;
• Prince Sarnoe, 29, of Trenton;
• Thomas Rogers, a/k/a “Herb,” a/k/a “T-Rod,’ 22, of Trenton;
• Christopher Proctor, a/k/a “Bris,” a/k/a “Bris Broctor,” 22, of Trenton;
• Ileana Sanchez, a/k/a “Lilly,” 32, of Trenton; and
• India Daniels, 23, of Morrisville, Pa.

Ishmael Abdullah and Proctor are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The organization operated from June of 2015 until December of 2016, according to the complaint unsealed on Thursday.

Through the authorized interception of telephone calls and text messages, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative means, law enforcement say they learned that Ishmael Abdullah was a leader of the group.

He was in charge of obtaining significant quantities of heroin from multiple suppliers, including Torres-Mezquita and Sanchez, authorities said.

Ishmael Abdullah and Hunter coordinated the organization’s distribution of heroin to the other conspirators, who sold and stored the drugs, according to authorities.

Members of the Abdullah DTO spoke in code and used stash houses, cars, and temporary prepaid phones to avoid detection by law enforcement, authorities said.

In connection with their narcotics distribution, authorities said members of the Abdullah DTO also maintained joint access to firearms.

Authorities allege members of the Abdullah DTO sold prepackaged “bricks” of heroin, which contained approximately one gram, and “bundles” of heroin, which contained approximately one-fifth of a gram, to various other distributors, sub-dealers, and end users in Trenton and surrounding areas.

Law enforcement captured discussions about drug quality, consumer satisfaction, pricing, quantity, and the nature of the organization’s drug distribution business, including the storage and accessibility of firearms, on calls and text messages intercepted during the investigation.

The conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. The firearms charges with which Ishmael Abdullah and Proctor are charged carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Fishman credited agents and officers with the Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, including special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gallagher; special agents of the ATF, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Belsky; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Director Ernest Parrey, Jr.; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Todd Frederick; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; and detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, with the investigation.

He also thanked special agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; special agents of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terence S. Opiola; officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Joseph R. Fuentes; and officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler, for their assistance in the case.