Over One Kilo of Heroin Seized in Narcotics Investigation

Over One Kilo of Heroin Seized in Narcotics Investigation


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

OVER ONE KILO OF HEROIN, THREE HANDGUNS, AND $500,000 WORTH OF JEWELRY SEIZED IN LARGE-SCALE NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 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 United States 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 the Bronx, New York. During the operation, officers arrested 14 individuals – including an employee with the United States 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,” said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. “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 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,” said 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.”

“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,” said 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.”

Prosecutor 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 arrested:

Charles King, 48, of Jersey City is charged with Leading a Narcotics Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3, a crime of the first degree; Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree; Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(a), a crime of the third degree; and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the third degree.
Ronderence Pinckney, 50, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the third degree; Possession (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), a crime of the third degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(2), a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, a crime of the third degree; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree; two counts of Possession of a Weapon and a Controlled Dangerous Substance in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 39-7b(1), crimes of the second degree; and Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a crime of the third degree
Jorge Rosario, 49, of Rahway, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree.
Erving Carter, 50, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree.
Marlon Wells, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree; two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(3), crimes of the third degree; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree.
Kenneth Muldrow, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree.
Joseph Williams, 59, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; and Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) with 1,000 Feet of a School, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, a crime of the third degree.
Martin Adorno, 45, of the Bronx, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the third degree.
Charles Taylor, 48, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree.
Terrance Grant, 33, of Jersey City, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second degree.
Lois Hill, 62, of Jersey City, is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; and Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Heroin) with 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, a crime of the third degree.
Tamika Hill, 46, of Jersey City, is charged with Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 21-25a, a crime of the third degree.
Kharheim Crawford, 49, of Jersey City, is charged with Possession (Heroin) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), a crime of the third degree; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree.
Jada Carter, 19, of Jersey City, is charged with Obstruction in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1a, a crime of the fourth degree.

Additional arrests and charges are pending. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).