Diligent investigative work conducted by the Union County Prosecutor's Office, Elizabeth Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, paid off when the leader of a four-state drug-distribution network was caught this week.
Following a three-month joint investigation, the team was able to arrest seven people and seize more than $230,000 worth of drugs and cash through raids across Central New Jersey. The investigation was a continuation of a broader investigation that has been going on for months.
Officers executing search warrants were able to seize 75 bricks of heroin, a handgun and $36,000 in cash. The drugs were packed and ready to sell on the streets and are estimated to be worth approximately $38,000.
In earlier raids, police arrested a high-ranking gang member along with a handgun, approximately $90,000 in cash and more than 5 ½ pounds of heroin. The street value of the heroin is worth about $140,000.
The arrests made in the case will slow down the drug distribution network that had been able to sell their product throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. This was a sophisticated network of drug dealers and authorities are pleased with the results of their investigation and how the various law enforcement agencies came together to solve a wide-ranging problem.
The ring-leader of the operation is a 35-year-old man who was charged with:
- Leading a narcotics-trafficking network
- Maintaining a drug manufacturing facility
- Other narcotic crimes
Three other men were arrested along with the ring-leader and all are being held on bail ranging from $500,000 to $3 million.
Anyone facing similar charges should sit down with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss the charges and figure out what legal options they might have available to them. This is necessary if you want to have an effective defense.
Source: The Star-Ledger, "Authorities nab drug kingpin, seize heroin and cash totaling $74K," Ryan Hutchins, Jan. 26, 2012