One kilogram of heroin, three hand guns, and $500,000 worth of jewelry, among other things, were seized in a Jersey City drug bust yesterday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday, following a more than four-month long investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Jersey City Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, multiple court
ordered search warrants were executed relating to a narcotics investigation.
The investigation led to the seizure of over one kilo of suspected heroin, over 400 grams of fentanyl, three handguns, over $70,000 cash and $500,000 worth of jewelry, suspected to be proceeds from narcotics transactions.
Beginning at approximately 5 a.m., over 100 law enforcement officers executed search warrants in Jersey City, Newark, Rahway, and Bronx, New York.
During the operation, officers arrested 14 individuals – including an employee with the U.S. Postal Service – and uncovered a manufacturing and distribution facility in Newark. The street value of the recovered narcotics is approximately $342,000.
“These arrests are the result of multiple law enforcement agencies working collaboratively with the goal of dismantling a high level and dangerous drug operation,” Suarez said in a statement.
“Because of this strategic investigation, we were able to seize a large quantity of lethal narcotics, confiscate firearms that would have been used for unlawful purposes, and make the neighborhoods in which this network operated safer for those who live there. We thank our local and federal law enforcement partners who worked closely with our office throughout this investigation and every agency that offered assistance.”
Charles King, 48, of Jersey City, is charged with leading a narcotics trafficking network, conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl), money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Charles King and his crew’s alleged schemes to distribute fentanyl throughout New Jersey were fueled by plain greed – a desire to enrich themselves with jewelry, cash, guns, and cars – all at the expense of the community who is left to shoulder the burdens brought on by organized drug trade,” added Jason Molina, special agent in charge of HSI Newark.
“HSI and our law enforcement partners will remain steadfast in investigating and arresting those who flood our streets with illicit narcotics like fentanyl.”
Ronderence Pinckney, 50, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl), conspiracy to commit money laundering, possession and intent to distribute heroin, as well as intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a weapon and a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of certain persons not to possess a weapon, and receiving stolen property (firearm).
“The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service and its personnel,” noted Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector – Northeast Area.
“Although the majority of postal employees are hardworking individuals, there are some who choose to trade their integrity for greed and conspire with others to further their criminal behavior. All should know that the Agents of the Postal Service, Office of Inspector General will work tirelessly to bring them to justice. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great relationships we have developed with our law enforcement partners and with the Prosecutor’s Office to combat the shipment of illegal narcotics through the U.S. Mail.”
Suarez also credited the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County SWAT Team, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police HAZMAT Unit, NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for assisting with the investigation.
The following individuals were also arrested:
• Jorge Rosario, 49, of Rahway, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl)
• Erving Carter, 50, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl)
• Marlon Wells, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl), two counts of possession with the intent to distribute (heroin), and possession ofdDrug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute
• Kenneth Muldrow, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl)
• Joseph Williams, 59, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl), possession with the intent to distribute (heroin), and possession with the intent to distribute (heroin) within 1,000 feet of a school
• Martin Adorno, 45, of the Bronx, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl) and conspiracy to commit money laundering
• Charles Taylor, 48, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl)
• Terrance Grant, 33, of Jersey City, is charged with conspiracy to distribute (fentanyl)
• Lois Hill, 62, of Jersey City, is charged with possession with the intent to distribute (heroin) and possession with the intent to distribute (heroin) with 1,000 feet of a school
• Tamika Hill, 46, of Jersey City, is charged with money laundering
• Kharheim Crawford, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with possession (heroin) and possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute
• Jada Carter, 19, of Jersey City, is charged with obstruction
