EWING – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced the results of two collaborative law enforcement operations in Trenton and Paterson aimed at advancing the dual priority missions of reducing gun violence and combatting the deadly opioid epidemic gripping New Jersey and the nation. Brands stamped on wax folds of heroin seized in the two operations are the same brands that have been linked to 57 overdoses, including 26 fatal overdoses and 31 nonfatal overdoses.
Attorney General Grewal made the announcement at the State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC) with leaders of the participating agencies: Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice, Lt. Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley, and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald.
In “Operation West End,” the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit, Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, and Trenton Police Department Street Crimes Unit conducted multiple investigations targeting gun and drug trafficking in and around the West End section of Trenton. The operation led to 18 arrests and seizures of 22 guns – including five assault rifles – as well as about 11,000 doses of heroin and fentanyl, and 750 grams of cocaine. The arrests began on Aug. 1.
In “Operation 4K Boyz,” the alleged leader of a heroin and fentanyl distribution network in Paterson, Kashard Whitaker, a founding member and leader of the 4K Boyz set of the Bloods street gang, was arrested, along with nine other targets, including alleged mill operators and associates. The Division of Criminal Justice and Paterson Police Department dismantled two sophisticated opioid mills, seizing over 27,000 individual doses of heroin, one kilo of bulk heroin, and nearly 400 grams of fentanyl, along with equipment and materials used to cut, process and package the drugs. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in the takedown on Aug. 2.
“These operations in Trenton and Paterson reflect our dual law enforcement priorities of combatting the opioid epidemic and suppressing gun violence by targeting the weapons and drug traffickers who fuel these twin scourges,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We are totally committed to these efforts to protect our communities in New Jersey, and we are employing the type of collaborative, intelligence-driven investigations that produce the strong results reflected in these two operations. In each case, drugs allegedly were being distributed bearing stamps that have been linked to numerous overdose deaths. There can be no doubt that lives were saved by these operations – saved from heroin and fentanyl overdoses, and saved from the mayhem inflicted by the assault rifles and other guns with large-capacity magazines we seized.”
“By joining forces to carry out strategic investigations of this type, we are having a real impact on public safety,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Each gun we take off the streets is potentially a murder or serious shooting we prevent. Each dose of heroin or fentanyl that we seize is potentially an overdose averted. We will continue to do everything in our power to reduce violence and improve the quality of life for residents in Trenton, Paterson, and our other communities across New Jersey.”
OPERATION WEST END
Operation West End involved a number of separate investigations, but all of them targeted individuals who allegedly sold guns and/or drugs in the same area of Trenton. In total during Operation West End, the investigating agencies seized approximately 220 bricks of heroin – equal to about 11,000 single-dose wax folds – approximately 750 grams of cocaine, $52,000 cash, 22 guns, including five assault rifles, and 18 illegal large-capacity magazines.
The investigations involved controlled purchases of guns and drugs, which involved approximately 200 bricks of heroin and fentanyl, 350 grams of cocaine, 13 firearms, including three assault rifles, and 11 illegal large-capacity magazines. Each brick of heroin includes 50 single-dose wax folds, so approximately 10,000 doses of heroin and fentanyl were sold. Those totals represent guns and drugs seized prior to the execution of search warrants last week.
When arrests were made and search warrants were executed on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 1 and 2, additional guns and drugs were seized. Detectives seized 20 more bricks of heroin (1,000 doses), roughly 400 more grams of cocaine, about $52,000 cash, and nine more guns, including two assault rifles, with seven additional large-capacity magazines.
Wax folds of heroin allegedly being sold by defendants in Operation West End were stamped with the brand “AK-47,” which has been associated with 10 fatal overdoses and nine nonfatal overdoses.
“We are working hard to take drug dealers and illegal guns off the street and reduce violence in Trenton,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Operation West End reflects the three key elements of the strategy embodied in our recently announced Trenton Violent Crime Initiative: using intelligence-led policing to target dangerous offenders; working collaboratively across all levels of law enforcement; and focusing on the drug trafficking and illegal guns that fuel gun violence. These defendants allegedly were distributing many thousands of doses of heroin and fentanyl, and four defendants were allegedly involved in street sales of illegal assault rifles with large-capacity magazines – guns that can kill and maim on a massive scale, as we have seen in the recent mass shootings across the United States.”
“By arresting these heavily-armed drug traffickers, the residents of our capital city can rest assured that 11,000 potentially deadly doses of heroin will never make it into their neighborhood, and 22 firearms, including five assault rifles, are no longer available to maim and kill people on our streets,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “Heroin sold by these defendants was stamped with a brand that has already been linked to ten fatal overdoses. The deadly combination of illegal drugs and guns, in all likelihood, would have led to additional fatalities. This long-term collaborative investigation not only saved lives, but a countless number of families have been spared the pain and anguish of losing a loved one to an overdose or to gun violence.”
Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley stated “The Trenton Police Department is committed to reducing the senseless violence and fear being perpetrated against our city’s good and decent citizens by those who don’t respect our laws or the value of human life. All that we have accomplished and continue to achieve on a daily basis cannot be done without the active engagement of our officers and the cooperation of our law enforcement and citizen partners. This operation is an outstanding example of what we can, and will continue to achieve when we work together for the greater good of serving the citizenry that we swore to protect.”
Investigators developed information early on that Jeffrey Johnson and his brother Lateef Gibson, who live together on Atterbury Avenue in Trenton, were both allegedly involved in criminal activity: Johnson in trafficking guns and drugs, and Gibson in dealing drugs. During the investigations, Johnson allegedly sold an AR-15 assault rifle with a large-capacity magazine along with a co-conspirator. He also allegedly sold five handguns, in some instances with a different co-conspirator. Johnson also allegedly sold 17 bricks of heroin. Gibson allegedly conspired with six other defendants to sell nearly 110 bricks of heroin and fentanyl, and over 300 grams of cocaine.
Five other defendants are charged in connection with sales of two additional assault rifles with large-capacity magazines, three rifles, and two handguns. Three additional defendants are charged with allegedly conspiring to distribute or distributing drugs. A full list of defendants and charges is included below.
The Attorney General’s Office is working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey under U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito to review the gun cases in Operation West End and determine whether any of them should be prosecuted federally through the “Triggerlock” program, under which high-priority gun offenders arrested by municipal police or state authorities are referred for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under federal law, which carries lengthier prison terms, including potential penalties of 15 years without parole to life for the most serious gun offenses.
In May, Attorney General Grewal and U.S. Attorney Carpenito announced the Trenton Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a new collaborative initiative to fight violence in Trenton involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and FBI. Leaders from the participating agencies meet regularly to review intelligence from the State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC) and Trenton Police Department regarding the most violent offenders in Trenton, their accomplices, crime trends, and potential leads that can be acted on by the partnering agencies. Resulting analysis and leads are used to conduct law enforcement operations to dismantle and disrupt violent criminal elements in the city, including execution of warrants and crime suppression efforts focused on likely violence “hot spots.”
Although Operation West End began prior to the launch of the Trenton VCI, the operation involved the same collaboration, strategic targeting, and sharing of local offender and crime-gun intelligence that are foundations of the VCI model. Suspects were identified through a targeted approach based on evidence of significant ongoing criminal conduct involving sales of guns and drugs. The partnering agencies pursued strategic investigations that would have a significant impact in deterring recent violence trends in Trenton.
Deputy Attorney General Katherine Morris is the lead prosecutor for this investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab, Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis, and Deputy Division Director Jill Mayer.
Detective Kyle Feigley, the case agent, and Detective Chris Talar conducted this investigation for the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit, under the supervision of Detective Sgt. 1st Class Blair Astbury, Lt. James Sansone, Lt. Lisa King, and Capt. Thomas Ryan.
The lead detective for the Trenton Police Street Crimes Unit is Detective Erik Mancheno, under the supervision of Detective Sgt. Jay Astbury.
Assistance was provided during the takedown by the New Jersey State Police Gangs & Organized Crime Central Unit, NJSP Trafficking South and Central Units, NJSP Troop C Tactical Patrol and Strategic Investigation Units, NJSP Troop D Criminal Investigation Office, NJSP Fugitive Unit, NJSP TEAMS Unit, NJSP K9 Unit, Mercer County Shooting Response Team, Trenton Police Department SWAT Team, Hamilton Police Department SWAT Team, and Middletown Township Police Department.
Attorney General Grewal thanked all of the agencies and individuals who conducted Operation West End.
The following is the full list of defendants arrested and charges filed in Operation West End:
Alleged Gun Traffickers
Jeffrey J. Johnson, 41, of Trenton, N.J.: 1st degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm (4 counts); 1st degree Unlawful Possession of Assault Rifle; 2nd degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon (5 counts); 2nd degree Distribution of Heroin; 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm (4 counts); 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices (5 counts); 4th degree Possession of Defaced Firearm; 3rd degree Unlawful Disposition of an Assault Firearm
Andrew B. Boone Jr. 31, of Browns Mills, N.J.: 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm; 2nd degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm; 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices
Walter E. Gleaton, aka Walter Mason, 38, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Assault Rifle; 2nd degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon (4 counts); 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property; 3rd degree Unlawful Disposition of an Assault Rifle; 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine; 3rd degree Conspiracy to Sell an Assault Rifle
Andrew Anderson Jr., 28, of Trenton, N.J.: 1st degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm (2 counts); 1st degree Unlawful Possession of Assault Rifle; 2nd degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon (3 counts); 2nd degree Distribution of Heroin; 3rd degree Possession of Heroin (2 counts); 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm (2 counts); 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices (2 counts)
Eddie Padilla-Colon, 35, of Willingboro, N.J.; 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm (2 counts); 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Assault Rifle; 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm (2 counts); 3rd degree Unlawful Disposition of an Assault Rifle; 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices (4 counts); 3rd degree Conspiracy to Sell an Assault Rifle; 2nd degree Illegal Transport of a Weapon (2 counts)
Joshua D. Vargas, 25, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of a Firearm; 4th degree Prohibited Weapons and Devices (2 counts)
Edwin Gaines, 58, of Jersey City, N.J.: 1st degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm; 2nd degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine; 4th degree Prohibited Devices
Rajon Glover, 23, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of Firearm; 4th degree Unlawful Disposition of Firearm; 3rd degree Theft
Alleged Drug Dealers
Lateef Gibson, 37, of Trenton, N.J.: 1st degree Distribution of Cocaine; 1st degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; 2nd degree Distribution of Heroin; 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance; 2nd degree Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance within 500 Feet of Park (14 counts); 3rd degree Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 Feet of School (14 counts); 3rd degree Possession of Heroin (9 counts); 3rd degree Possession of Cocaine (9 counts)
Arlene West, 60, of Trenton, N.J.: 1st degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance; 3rd degree Possession of Cocaine; 3rd degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a School; 2nd degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 500 Feet of a Public Park
Daniel Wilson, 50, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin; 3rd degree Distribution of Heroin; 3rd degree Possession of Heroin
Curtis M. Daniels, 48, of Ewing, N.J.: 3rd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
Davia R. Dennia, 28, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
Cordea V. Ford, 24, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
Arlinda Staley, 49, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine; 2nd degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; 3rd degree Possession of Cocaine; 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle; 2nd degree Possession of a Weapon During Certain Offenses; 2nd degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 50 Feet of a Public Park; 3rd degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a School Zone
Samuel J. Tucker, 46, of Trenton, N.J.: 3rd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
Joy K. Scott, 25, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Distribution of Heroin; 2nd degree Distribution of heroin (2 counts); Possession with Intent to Distribution CDS (heroin) – 2nd degree; 3rd degree Possession of heroin (3 counts); 2nd degree Distribution of heroin Within 500 Feet of a Public Park (3 counts); 3rd degree Distribution of heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a School Zone (3 counts); 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Scott allegedly sold heroin while holding a newborn infant) ; 4th degree Prohibited Devices (4 counts); 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of an Assault Rifle (“AK Pistol); 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (handgun – Glock .40 caliber); 4th degree Drug Paraphernalia (Heroin Press)
Trudy Picott, 54, of Trenton, N.J.: 2nd degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
Johnson, Boone, Gleaton, Padilla-Colon, Gaines, Gibson, West, Staley, and Scott are lodged in jail pending detention hearings. Anderson, Dennia, and Ford are being held in jail on prior charges. The remaining defendants were released subject to conditions.
OPERATION 4K BOYZ
In Operation 4K Boyz, the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau North Team and the Paterson Police Department investigated a heroin and fentanyl distribution network allegedly led by Kashard Whitaker. Whitaker allegedly commanded a ring of suppliers and street-level distributors. Miguel Guerrero-Santana allegedly was Whitaker’s primary supplier, operating an opioid mill at 25 Kent Village, aka 769 11th Avenue, in Paterson. It is alleged that Carlos Nunez was an additional supplier to Whitaker’s distribution network and operated an opioid mill at 169 Grand Street in Paterson.
Kashard allegedly was buying approximately 25,000 to 30,000 wax folds of heroin and fentanyl per week and distributing to his network, which further distributed the drugs to dealers and customers.
Members of the Division of Criminal Justice and Paterson Police Department – assisted by the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations – executed search warrants at each of the mills on Friday, Aug. 2. Both mills were major operations where drug dealers mixed fentanyl and heroin with cutting agents using coffee grinders, while wearing latex gloves and masks, and then packaged heroin laced with fentanyl into individual-dose wax folds.
In taking down the mills and executing search warrants at stash houses used by the network, investigators seized over 27,000 individual doses of heroin, one kilo of bulk heroin, nearly 400 grams of fentanyl, approximately 152 grams of cocaine, and approximately 21 grams of methamphetamine, along with approximately $60,000 cash and equipment and materials used to process and package the drugs.
Wax folds of heroin and fentanyl seized in the investigation were stamped with the following brands that have been linked to 16 fatal and 22 nonfatal overdoses: Empire, KFC, Takeover, Tuna Fish, Stingray, New Jack City, 2019, Sweet Dreams, and Tailgate.
Additional evidence was obtained that also links drugs distributed by the network to overdose deaths. Those leads are being vigorously pursued and more charges may be filed, including first-degree charges of strict liability for overdose death.
Whitaker is charged with first-degree promoting organized street crime, and Guerrero-Santana and Nunez are each charged with first-degree operating a narcotics production facility. Among the other defendants are Shakeem Browning, who allegedly was a mid-level distributor who reported to Whitaker, and McCoy Whitaker, who is Kashard’s uncle and allegedly was a runner who delivered drugs to customers. Several targets of the investigation, including Whitaker and Browning, are members of the 4K Boyz street gang.
“Paterson is a major opioid distribution hub for users across North Jersey and into New York and Pennsylvania, and we allege that Whitaker’s network and the two mills that supplied him were major sources of heroin and fentanyl,” said Attorney General Grewal. “In those mills, drug dealers – not chemists – imprecisely mixed heroin and other agents with fentanyl to produce super-potent doses, engaging in a form of Russian roulette with users across the region. We undoubtedly saved lives by shutting down this supply line of opioids, and we will continue to protect the public by targeting major opioid sources.”
Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald stated “The challenges we face to protect our residents and address the devastating opioid epidemic demand the type of teamwork and sharing of resources reflected in this outstanding operation. I thank the Attorney General and Division of Criminal Justice for joining forces with us to dismantle what we allege was a major heroin supply network. Location and other factors have made Paterson a center for heroin distribution across the region, but we are doing everything in our power to cut off these major opioid sources and bring drug traffickers to justice.”
Deputy Attorney General Matthew Lafargue is the lead prosecutor for this investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab, Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis, and Deputy Division Director Jill Mayer. Assistance was provided by Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski.
The investigation was conducted for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau North Team by Detectives Keith Franco and Russell Kingsland, who were the primary case agents, assisted by Detectives Stephen Cooper and John Cicchino, under the supervision of Detective Sgt. Patrick J. Sole, Detective Sgt. Mario Estrada, Lt. Brian Bruton, Deputy Chief of Detectives Christopher Donohue, and Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell.
Attorney General Grewal thanked the members of the Paterson Police Department who conducted the investigation, under the leadership of Chief Troy Oswald. The investigation was conducted by members of the Paterson Police Department Narcotics Division under Capt. Bert Ribeiro and Lt. Stephen Iacuzzo, and Criminal Investigations Division under Capt. Stanley Rodriguez.
The New Jersey State Police Intelligence Section also assisted in the investigation.
Attorney General Grewal thanked the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations in Newark for their assistance in the takedown.
The following is the full list of defendants arrested and charges filed in Operation 4K Boyz:
Kashard Whitaker, 41, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Promoting Organized Street Crime
- 2nd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 2nd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Amphetamines
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Amphetamines within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession of Amphetamines
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Distributing Amphetamines Near School Property
Shakeem Browning, 34, of Paterson, N.J.
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
Miguel Guerrero-Santana, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Maintaining/Operating a Narcotics Production Facility
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- 2nd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Cocaine within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Distributing Cocaine Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Cocaine
- DP Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia
Carlos Nunez, 32, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Maintaining/Operating a Narcotics Production Facility
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- DP Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia
McCoy Whitaker, 62, of Paterson, N.J.
- 2nd Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
Enmanuel Ortiz, 38, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Maintaining/Operating a Narcotics Production Facility
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Fortifying a Narcotics Manufacturing/Distribution Facility
- DP Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia
Escarlin Rivas, 35, of Paterson, N.J.
- 3rd Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
Regin Rivas, 36, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Maintaining/Operating a Narcotics Production Facility
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Cocaine within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession of Cocaine
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Distributing Cocaine Near School Property
Yakgsenei Rivas-Pena, 33, of Paterson, N.J.
- 1st Degree Maintaining/Operating a Narcotics Production Facility
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- 1st Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 2nd Degree Possessing/Distributing Cocaine within 500 Feet of Public Property
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
- 3rd Degree Possession of Cocaine
- 3rd Degree Distributing Heroin Near School Property
- 3rd Degree Distributing Cocaine Near School Property
- DP Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia
Albert Whitaker, 64, of Paterson, N.J.
- 3rd Degree Possession of Heroin
Whitaker, Guerrero-Santana, Nunez, and Rivas-Pena were ordered detained in jail pending trial. The state has filed a motion seeking the detention of Browning. The remaining defendants in Operation 4K Boyz were released subject to conditions.
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. The first-degree narcotics charges carry an enhanced fine of up to $500,000, and the first-degree charge of operating a narcotics production facility carries a mandatory minimum term without parole equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed and a fine of up to $750,000. The charge of promoting organized street crime carries a sentence of 15 to 30 years in state prison, consecutive to the sentence for any underlying crime. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. The charge of possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The third-degree drug charges carry enhanced fines of up to $35,000 for the possession charges or $75,000 for the distribution charges. Fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants in both operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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