29 Gang Members Arrested In Major New Jersey Drug Bust
29 Gang Members Arrested In Major New Jersey Drug Bust:- A recent spike in shootings in several New Jersey towns has led to a major heroin, cocaine and gang bust that dismantled an entrenched criminal enterprise, authorities announced this week.
Twenty-nine people were arrested in “Operation Lights Out,” a probe launched earlier this year that was prompted by shootings in Long Branch, Asbury Park and Neptune Township.
Three people remain at large in the wide-ranging probe into gangs that “peddle drugs, unlawfully possess and transfer firearms and inflict violence,” according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office
The arrests involved members of the “G-Shine” set of the Bloods criminal street gang, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in a release.
“Our objective is to continue to do all that we can to make the streets … safe for everyone,” he said. “We had great support from our law enforcement partners throughout the county and we collectively share this same goal.”
Most of the 29 people arrested now face charges that include racketeering, distribution of narcotics, conspiracy to distribute and/or possess narcotics, unlawful possession of handguns and unlawful transfer or sale of firearms.
The investigation revealed the criminal organization distributed approximately 150-200 grams of powder and crack cocaine per week with an estimated street value of $225,000, and approximately 250 packets of heroin per week with an estimated street value of $22,500.
Operation Lights Out culminated last week with the seizure of two semi-automatic handguns — .40- and .380-caliber — more than 200 grams of cocaine, 35 bricks of heroin, about $14,000 in cash and three vehicles, according to the MCPO.
The following 18 individuals were members of a racketeering enterprise that involved drugs, guns and gang violence (not all of their hometowns were provided):
- Lamont “Snub” Williams, 32, of Long Branch
- Jamire “Jah” Williams, 26, of Long Branch
- Pernell Scott (aka “90” and “1090”), 32, of Long Branch
- Gregory “Wise” McLeod, 40, of Long Branch
- Lawrence “Salaam” Booker, 49
- Jayson Buffaloe, aka (“H.O.” and “Buff,”), 31
- Dashon Coleman, aka “Pop” and “PO,” 30
- Karon “Fly” Covin, 26
- Dale Davis, aka “Doozie” and “Do,” 37
- Michael “Vic” Dismuke, 45
- Waldyr Donayre, 33
- Darnell J. Johnson, aka “P.K.” and “Pyrex Kid,” 29
- Tyshon Kelley, aka “Q.S.,” “Quiet Storm” and “Black Jack,” 29
- Maya Lee, 31
- Arthur “Art” Ratcliffe, 37
- Robert Shannon, aka “Tank,” 41
- Jermaine E. Stovall, 35
- Joseph “Pop Shine” Willis, 31
An additional 11 defendants were arrested and charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance. They are: Howard D. Coleman, 57; Abdelmone M. Elbakry, 48; Dana L. Gilardi, 37; Laura Kale, 43; Kyle J. Manger, 31; Thomas Murphy, 54; Michael Nucci, 56; Joseph Pecoraro III, 36; Patricia Rodgers, 44; Omar Sanders, 37; Oakley “Buzz” Smith, 65.
The following three defendants are fugitives who remain at large:
- Rory D. Quill, 33, who is charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance.
- Jamie L. Shaw, 37, who is charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance.
- Rasheen Yarbrough, 38, who is charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (cocaine), third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine).
If convicted of any of the first-degree charges, each defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison and would also be under parole supervision for five years following release from state prison.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Merlin Thomas and Emily Cartmell.
Source:- https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/29-arrested-major-gang-drug-bust-new-jersey-after-shootings
