15 Charged In Passaic County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy: US Attorney

PATERSON, NJ — Officials charged 15 North Jersey men with drug trafficking violations, and say they were part of a gang responsible for distributing deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Passaic County.

Two of these men are still at large according to Philip R. Sellinger, who is the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Officials arrested 11 people on Thursday, and two were already in custody on state charges according to Sellinger's office.

Federal officials are searching for Terrance Drakeford, 30, of Prospect Park and Jamah Godwin, 29, of Paterson as of Thursday according to Sellinger.

The defendants are members or affiliates of the Paterson-based "UpTop" gang, which supplied drugs including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine to people in and around the city according to Sellinger's office.

All 15 people are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, according to officials. Several others face weapons offenses.

“As alleged in the criminal complaint, these defendants were affiliated with a street gang that trafficked fentanyl, an extremely dangerous synthetic opioid that can kill users with a single dose,” Sellinger said.

“Not only did they deal these dangerous drugs in Paterson, certain gang members are alleged to have had guns to solidify their control of the drug trade. We have no higher priority than taking apart these gangs and addressing the drivers of violence."

Officials charged the following people were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.

• Quadair Williams, aka “Fed Baby” and “Mega” (41, Hackensack)
• Jamal Ricks, aka “Bop” (35, Paterson)
• Rahjohn Leary aka “Rah” (29, Newark)
• Ronald Taylor aka “Fat Cat” and “Cat” (29, Passaic)
• Malachi Fields aka “Chicago” (28, Paterson)
• Marquis Turner aka “June Bug” (26, Paterson)
• Prince Carter aka “Eighty” aka “Eight” (41, Paterson)
• Terrance Drakeford (30, Prospect Park)
• Xavier Classen aka “Swaggy” (25, Paterson)
• Quajamir Price aka “Porkchop” (20, Paterson)
• Jamah Godwin (29, Paterson)
• Troy Blair (48, Paterson)
• Elton Baker (45, Paterson)
• Justin Carlos aka “Spaz” (36, Paterson)
• Marecius Samuels aka “Re-Up” (35, Paterson)

Turner and Price also face weapons charges, said Sellinger, who announced their arrest along with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Bureau.

“We appreciate the commitment and tireless efforts of our federal, state and local partners and our personnel in bringing accountability to criminals," said Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, who heads the Newark Field Division for the AFT. "Our collaborative and unified efforts are essential to reducing violent crime and removing those offenders that terrorize our communities and threaten public safety.”

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