Seven Handguns & Large Quantity of Narcotics Seized

Seven Handguns & Large Quantity of Narcotics Seized


SEVEN HANDGUNS, HALF A KILOGRAM OF HEROIN, AND OVER $360,000 SEIZED IN LARGE-SCALE NARCOTICS OPERATION THAT LED TO 23 ARRESTS

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On March 3, 2020, 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, leading 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 in Union County. 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,” said Prosecutor Suarez. “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.”

Prosecutor Suarez 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, age 31, of Jersey City, was charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-3; Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3a; Conspiracy to Unlawfully Possess a Firearm in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:39-5b; Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; Committing a Drug Offense While Possessing a Firearm in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; Certain Persons Not To Have Weapons in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7B; Possession of Armor Piercing Bullets in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 39-3F; multiple counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; Operating a CDS Production Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4; and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2).
  • April Rice, age 47, of Jersey City, was charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3; Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; multiple counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; Possession of 50 grams or less of Marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(4); Possession of Prescription Drugs (Xanax) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-105A(3); Resisting Arrest in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2A(2); Hindering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3B(1); and Obstruction in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1A.
  • Michael Aviles, age 44, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; five counts of Possessing a Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(1); Possession of Marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(4); three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5D; Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; four counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5.
  • Alicia Aviles, age 51, of Jersey City, was charged with five counts of Possessing a Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1;three counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5D; Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; and three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5.
  • Veronica Raysor, age 47, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10A(1); two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3.
  • Kenneth Anglin, age 43, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1B(1); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5B(1); Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1); Certain Persons Not To Have Weapons in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7B; Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10A(1); two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3.
  • Kevyn Simmons, age 18, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:11-3a; Conspiracy to Unlawfully Possess a Firearm in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:39-5b; Possessing a Firearm while Committing a Drug Offense in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; and Possession of Prescription Drugs (Oxycontin) with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5A(4).
  • Kelly Robinson, age 31, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(1); Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7; Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1; Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; and Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25.
  • Alexander Shukla, age 29, of Elizabeth, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5; three counts of Possession of CDS in violation of 2C:35-10A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of 2C:35-5; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; and three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A.
  • Bobby Raysor, age 46, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3.
  • Cardell Raysor, age 49, of Jersey City, was charged with Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10A(1); Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3.
  • Tawana Anglin, age 40, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; and Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25.
  • Abdul Bash, age 39, of Jersey City, was charged with three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2).
  • Shaniqua Davis, age 29, of Jersey City, was charged with three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; three counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 35-10A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2).
  • Jalisa Evans, age 29, of Jersey City, was charged with Operating a CDS Production Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4; Possessing a Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25; and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2).
  • Shawn Pinkney, age 26, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A(1); Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1; and two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5.
  • Danyisha Beverly, age 25, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10A; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Near School Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7A; Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1A; and Possession With Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3.
  • Dermaine Scott, age 27, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Possess a Firearm in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:39-5b.
  • Malcolm Haynes, age 49, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5.
  • Carlene Orr, age 59, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5.
  • Tiara Drew, age 35, of Roselle, was charged with Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25A and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 2C:21-25A.
  • Bernadette Drew, age 59, of Jersey City, was charged with Money Laundering in Violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25.
  • Hayer Abdi, age 29, of Jersey City, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute CDS in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and 35-5.

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