Essex Police Bust New Jersey Drug Ring That Sold $1 Million in Heroin and Narcotics

31 individuals who were part of a drug operation that sold more than $1 million narcotics have been arrested after a 3-month long investigation. 518 bricks of heroin were seized in a raid on Sunday in connection with this investigation.

Heroin packages stamped with names like Nikki Minaj, Beauty and the Beast, Best Buy, Godfather, Goodfella, and Silent Hill were confiscated during Sunday’s raids.

Suspects from Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Boonton, Hopatcong, Clifton, Edgewater, Lyndhurst, North Arlington and Rutherford were arrested and charged with multiple narcotics offenses.

“By working together, we believe we have brought down an operation that fueled the state’s growing heroin epidemic,’’ said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Murray. “Arrests like these are aimed at disrupting the drug trade in our state and putting drug dealers on notice that when they distribute narcotics in our communities they do so at their own peril.’’

The drug operation trafficked narcotics within the Route 21 corridor. 26 law enforcement agencies in Essex, Bergen, Middlesex, and Morris counties worked together to bring down the ring, according to a statement released today by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Among those arrested was Michael Keeler, 41, of Rutherford, an employee of the U.S. Post Service; and Josephine Heatherly, 33, of North Arlington, an employee of the Youth Consultation Service, a nonprofit that provides assistance to parents and children in crisis.

More than $71,000 in currency and nine vehicles was among the assets seized during the Sunday morning arrests and searches, according to Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

In Bloomfield alone, approximately eight pounds of marijuana was seized, which has an estimated street value of over $40,000. $50,000 in U.S. currency was also confiscated from this residence. An undetermined smaller amount of cocaine and marijuana was also confiscated at other locations, Murray added.

The Sunday morning raids were made throughout Essex, Union, Sussex, Bergen, Middlesex, Morris and Passaic Counties.

“Through these efforts, we’re working hard to curb drug-related violence, and to stop the scourge of heroin and opiate pain pill abuse that is claiming far too many lives across our state and ripping apart our communities,’’ Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.

Arrests and Charges

Sharonda Nelson, 44, of Newark, and Ernest Nelson, 38, of Newark, were charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

Andres Soto, 34, of Bloomfield and LeShonda Jemmott, 30, of Irvington, were charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and possession within intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

Milenia Reyes, 31, of Newark, was charged with conspiracy, possession of cocaine and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and endangering the welfare of a child.

Tamika Sylvester, 34, of Newark, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.

Individuals Charged With Conspiracy, Possession of Heroin and Possession With Intent to Distribute

Jermaine Nelson, 37, of Edgewater; Shakira Nelson, 31, of Newark; Edgar Ortiz, 35, of Newark (pictured); Teyoina Solomon, 22 of Newark and Ibn Walker, 30, of Orange.

Individuals Charged With Conspiracy

Thomas Forniel, 31, of Newark; Richardo Maldonado, 38, of Newark; Anthony Chaljub, 28, of Newark, Yolanda Kilpatrick, 40, of Bloomfield and Calcameia Cooper, 33, of Roselle Park.

Individuals Charged With Possession of Narcotics

Joseph Armeli, 38, Rutherford; Eric Barr, 49, of Rutherford; Shawn Beauchene, 30, of Lyndhurst; William Beauchene, 32, of North Arlington; Joseph Bialek, 36, of Rutherford; David Caputo, 38, of Clifton; Josephine Heatherly, 33, of North Arlington; Michael Keeler, 41, of Rutherford; Edward Lax, 31, of Boonton; Nicholas Parisi, 30, of Rahway; Michael Sargese, 38, of Little Falls and John VeSota, 42, of Hopatcong.

Individuals Wanted and at Large

Edgardo Alvarado, 33, of Newark and Dawud Worthey, 35, of Columbia, Pennsylvania. Both are charged with second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. William Mullen, Jr., 30, of Bloomfield is charged with possession of narcotics.