19 Jersey City gang members and associates have been for their roles in an expansive drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The complaint charges Isaiah West, also known as “Snoop” and “Bandz,” 22; Jamantay Gaines, aka “D-Rose,” 28; Curtis Felder, aka “Cee Grizzley,” 26; William Washington, aka “OnSight,” 23; Aamir Thomas, aka “Mir,” 23; Nareef Frimpong, aka“Huncho,” 24; Reakwon Harvey, 28; Pedro Torres, 21; Najon Pettiford, aka “Na,” 23; Desmar Rivers, aka “Pacman,” 26; Stephon Turner, 26; Tyler Thornton, 30; Christopher Maldonado, aka “G Chris,” 18; Keiyan Golden, aka “Kevin Council,” 48; Cornell Bell, 49; Serge Rodriguez, 29; Gerard Crawford, aka “Jason Reed,” 51; Alfred Reaves, 56; all of Jersey City – and Dorian Garrett, aka “Nero,” 21, of New York City.
“These defendants are charged with operating a drug trafficking organization that poisoned the community of Jersey City with their distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, PCP, and several other narcotics,” Habba said in a statement.
“[Yesterday’s] arrests and charges mark another strike in our relentless war against the deadly narcotics and ruthless street gangs that infest and terrorize our communities. We will not rest until every drug trafficker and violent offender is held accountable and removed from our streets.”
The charges and arrests are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The charges include conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and quantities of heroin, cocaine, PCP, and other narcotics including various prescription pills.
The 16 defendants arrested today are scheduled to have their initial court appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court. One defendant was already in custody on state charges, and two defendants remain at large.
“[Yesterday’s] arrests are a testament to the collaborative work of law enforcement. Every illegal drug removed from the streets helps ensure the safety of our community. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to continuing this joint effort to rid our community of dangerous drugs,” added Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello.
“ … Over the past 12 years, we have driven down violent crime across Jersey City to historic lows by investing in smart policing strategies, stronger community partnerships, and unprecedented public safety resources, and today’s arrests are yet another example of our dedication to keeping residents safe,” noted Mayor Steven Fulop.
West, Gaines, Felder, Garrett, Washington, Thomas, Frimpong, Harvey, Torres, Pettiford, Rivers, Turner, Thorton, and Maldonado are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, which is known as “SaLaf,” according to federal court documents.
The gang’s drug trafficking activities were extensive, with federal, state, and local investigators observing and documenting hundreds of narcotics transactions that occurred within and around the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex during the months-long investigation.
The investigation likewise revealed that Bell, Rodriguez, Crawford, and Reaves were suppliers of narcotics to the SaLaf drug trafficking organization.
Law enforcement used investigative techniques including, but not limited to, wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics by confidential informants, telephone record analysis, and physical and fixed surveillance, among other lawful means of investigation.
The investigation revealed that the SaLaf DTO distributes large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, PCP, various prescription pills, and other narcotics in this public housing community as well as the surrounding area.
The charged offense carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of fuve years and a maximum potential prison sentence of 40 years, and a maximum fine of five million dollars.
Habba credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), special agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), investigators of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and investigators of the Jersey City Police Department for the investigation leading to the charges.
This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI).
The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City.
It’s about time.I brought a victim to the drug game. Good job god bless everyone