The Narcotics Task Force for the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office arrested 23 people, recovered seven guns, half a kilogram of heroin, and $360,000 in cash during a Jersey City drug sting yesterday, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday, following a more than two-month investigation, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Jersey City Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and various other area law enforcement agencies executed multiple search warrants in both Hudson and Union counties, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in a statement.
This led to the seizure of seven firearms, half a kilogram of heroin, a quarter kilogram of cocaine, more than 100 grams of marijuana and more than $360,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
During the operation, officers arrested 23 individuals who were charged with various narcotics and firearm offenses.
Beginning at 2:00 a.m., more than 200 law enforcement officers executed search warrants of multiple residences and vehicles in Jersey City – where the seven handguns were seized – as well as in Roselle and Elizabeth, officials said.
The officers also recovered prescription Xanax and Oxycontin pills, hollow point bullets, a bullet proof vest, extended/prohibited magazines, handcuffs and firearm holsters, and a stun gun.
“As evidenced by the sheer volume of drugs, money and weapons recovered, this network brought violence and fear throughout the neighborhoods in which it operated,†Suarez said in a statement.
“Knowing how deadly these drugs and guns are and the severely negative impact they place on the safety and quality of life for those living near these locations, we are pleased to have stopped their operations. We thank all of the agencies who worked with us on these arrests.â€
She also credited the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, the Bergen County Regional SWAT team, the Jersey City Police Department Emergency Services Unit, the Bayonne Police Department, the Hoboken Police Department, The Drug Enforcement Agency – Newark Field Office and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, K-9 and Transportation Units for assisting with the arrests and execution of the search warrants.
The following individuals were arrested:
Dwight Drew, 31, of Jersey City
April Rice, 47, of Jersey City
Michael Aviles, 44, of Jersey City
Alicia Aviles, 51, of Jersey City
Veronica Raysor, 47, of Jersey City
Kenneth Anglin, 43, of Jersey City
Kevyn Simmons, 18, of Jersey City
Kelly Robinson, 31, of Jersey City
Alexander Shukla, 29, of Elizabeth
Bobby Raysor, 46, of Jersey City
Cardell Raysor, 49, of Jersey City
Tawana Anglin, 40, of Jersey City
Abdul Bash, 39, of Jersey City
Shaniqua Davis, 29, of Jersey City
Jalisa Evans, 29, of Jersey City
Shawn Pinkney, 26, of Jersey City
Danyisha Beverly, 25, of Jersey City
Dermaine Scott, 27, of Jersey City
Malcolm Haynes, 49, of Jersey City
Carlene Orr, 59, of Jersey City
Tiara Drew, 35, of Roselle
Bernadette Drew, 59, of Jersey City
Hayer Abdi, 29, of Jersey City
All of the defendants were charged with drug possession/distribution charges and/or money laundering, while Drew and Rice were also charged with being the leaders of a narcotics trafficking network, officials said.
Furthermore, Drew and Simmons also faces charges for conspiracy to commit murder, police said.
