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spacer NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Division of Criminal Justice
(609) 292-4791

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2007


 
 
State Police and U.S. DEA Agents break up
South Jersey Narcotics Ring


Fourteen arrested in conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crystal meth

Trenton, N.J. - Attorney General Stuart Rabner today announced the execution of search and arrest warrants related to a narcotics trafficking network that operated in southern New Jersey dealing in cocaine and crystal methamphetamine. Fourteen suspects were arrested by state and federal authorities in New Jersey and Arizona, and law enforcement officers seized ten pounds of crack cocaine and more than seven kilograms, or approximately 15 pounds, of powder cocaine

The powder cocaine was valued at $28,000 per kilo, and the ten pounds of crack was valued at $15,000 per pound.

The arrests were made in South Tucson, Arizona, and in three counties in South Jersey by State Police detectives and special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration following a cooperative investigation by the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and the DEA. Authorities also seized approximately $244,000 in cash and confiscated two handguns and a shotgun.

"Today's arrests are the result of outstanding cooperation between state and federal law enforcement officials, and demonstrates our commitment to fighting drug trafficking in our state,'' Attorney General Rabner said.

All those arrested were charged with second degree conspiracy in connection with the distribution of narcotics. Further charges may follow based on the material seized today. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Search warrants were executed at ten homes and storage facilities in Gloucester, Camden and Burlington counties. Police seized high-end electronics, computers and mink coats at one home in Voorhees. They also found packaging material, cutting agents and a cocaine press in an apartment in Evesham. Also seized were eight automobiles and three all terrain vehicles.

Arrested in Arizona by DEA special agents were Nasser Perez of Lindenwold, Jerald Green of Atco and Gabe Blackstone (hometown not available) as well as seven Mexican nationals who were caught in a drugs-for-money exchange. Agents seized four kilograms of cocaine and approximately $90,000. Authorities said the New Jersey men traveled to Arizona to meet a cocaine supplier.

Also arrested were:

  • Gary R. Maddox, 30, Washington Township
  • Lori M. Gephardt, 31, Washington Township
  • Jason E. McKinnon, 30, Atco
  • Gerald L. Foster Jr., 20, Atco
  • Michael V. Scott, 36, Voorhees
  • Michael Passio, 36, Vineland
  • John Morgan, 46, Lindenwold
  • Cynthia Morgan, 47, Lindenwold
  • Pedro Vasquez, 34, Camden
  • Carlos Vallejo, 33, Pennsauken
  • Ronald Clements Jr., 29, Magnolia

Vasquez, Vallejo and Clements were arrested on DEA warrants and were held without bail.

Bail was set at $500,000 for Maddox and $300,000 each for Gephardt, McKinnon, Foster and Scott. The others were released on their own recognizance.

The 10-month investigation was conducted by the drug trafficking unit of the New Jersey State Police's Organized Crime Control South Bureau and the DEA, and supervised by Deputy Attorney General Russ Curley of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Gangs and Organized Crime Bureau. Deputy Attorney General Andrew Butchko, a senior counsel with the bureau, assisted in the final stage of the case.


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