Drug Bust Fugitive Turns Herself In: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — One of three people who were listed as fugitives last week when the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced a massive seven-county drug network takedown has turned herself in to authorities.

Akera L, Lewis, 27, of Newark, surrendered to authorities on Monday at the Jersey City office of her attorney, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said Tuesday.

Lewis was among the 31 people charged with various drug offenses in Operation Heading Back, the yearlong drug network investigation that led to the seizure of 90,000 doses of heroin, 8.75 kilograms of cocaine, a variety of pills and 6 pounds of marijuana, Coronato said during Friday's announcement.

Lewis is charged with second-degree conspiracy possession with intent to distribute heroin, third-degree possession of heroin, third-degree possession of heroin with intent, and third-degree distribution of heroin, authorities said.

Two others — Morris Howard, 41, of Brick and Stacy Bell, 45, of Piscataway — remain at large.

READ MORE: 90K Heroin Doses, $1.5M In Cash, Vehicles Seized In Massive Bust
Operation Heading Back: The Arrested, Search Warrants, Charges

"Operation Heading Back, through numerous investigative methods and undercover operatives, was successful in disrupting and/or dismantling illicit controlled dangerous substance distribution activities within the New Jersey counties of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Union and the Borough of the Bronx in New York," Coronato's office said. "The investigation now has led to 29 arrests for various offenses involving the distribution of CDS, (2) two fugitive warrants issued, and (9) nine CDS production facilities dismantled. During the course of the operation 33 search warrants were executed resulting in the seizure of 90,000 dosage units of heroin, over 19lbs of cocaine, $848,481 in currency, 20 firearms (to include a loaded AK-47 assault rifle), 27 vehicles (many high end) valued at approximately $713,620 and additional illegal narcotics."

Coronato said the announcement of the arrests "in no way signals the end of the operation" that began in April 2017. "We know there will be others trying to fill that void," he said Friday.

Photo provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office