13 Arrested In Undercover Drug Operation In Hunterdon County

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ — Thirteen people have been arrested on drug charges after an undercover operation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, authorities announced Tuesday.

The operation, conducted in response to an increasing number of overdose deaths, targeted heroin dealers but resulted in arrests for a variety of narcotics.

According to the prosecutor's office, 15 Hunterdon County residents have died from overdose so far in 2017.

The following arrests were made:

• Jordan Wideman, 21, of Flemington, arrested for distribution of prescription drugs
• Eric Cruse, 53, of Flemington, arrested for conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs
• Jerry Mills, 38, of Flemington, arrested for distribution of heroin and prescriptions
• Michael Pillar, 48, of Whiting, arrested for distribution of a methamphetamine
• Ernest Mittasch, 47, of Frenchtown, arrested for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
• Samantha Miles, 35, of Bloomsbury, arrested for distribution of cocaine
• Melissa Kostka, age 37, of Bloomsbury, arrested for distribution of oxycodone, distribution of cocaine within a public park and endangering the welfare of a child
• Kenyatta Rodgers, 31, of Bloomsbury, arrested for distribution of cocaine
• Cherrelle Cooper, 26, of Flemington, arrested for distribution of MDMA
• Lisa Vargas, 34, of Flemington, arrested for distribution of marijuana
• Rashawn Gaines, 26, of Flemington, arrested on three counts of distribution of heroin

Two additional individuals have been charged and are still being sought by authorities:

• Kenneth Wideman, 27, of Flemington, charged with distribution of imitation crack cocaine
• Donte Spence, 20, of Allentown, PA, charged with two counts of distribution of heroin

“Overdose deaths are rising at alarming rate in Hunterdon County and across our nation. The heroin epidemic continues to take lives, destroy families and impact government and healthcare services. While we have learned that this isn’t a problem that can be fought on the law enforcement front alone, we will continue to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to track down and arrest those that sell illegal narcotics," Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns said.

The joint investigation included detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force, the New Jersey State Police, Clinton Township Police Department, Raritan Township Police Department, Readington Township Police Department and Flemington Borough Police Department.

PHOTO: Via Patch