16 Jersey City Gang Members Arrested By Federal Agents In Trafficking Probe: Officials

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Sixteen members and associates of the Jersey City gang were arrested Wednesday as part of a drug trafficking probe, federal officials said Tuesday.

The gang was associated with the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, said the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The charges and arrests are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, officials said.

The charges include conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and quantities of heroin, cocaine, PCP, and other narcotics including various prescription pills.

Aside from the 16 people arrested Tuesday, another who was charged was already in state custody, and two are at large.

Federal officials said the following were charged in connection with the probe:

• Isaiah West, a/k/a “Snoop,” a/k/a “Bandz,” 22, of Jersey City
• Jamantay Gaines, a/k/a “D-Rose,” 28, of Jersey City
• Curtis Felder, a/k/a “Cee Grizzley,” 26, of Jersey City
• Dorian Garrett, a/k/a “Nero,” 21, of New York City
• William Washington, a/k/a “OnSight,” 23, of Jersey City
• Aamir Thomas, a/k/a “Mir,” 23, of Jersey City
• Nareef Frimpong, a/k/a “Huncho,” 24, of Jersey City
• Reakwon Harvey, 28, of Jersey City
• Pedro Torres, 21, of Jersey City
• Najon Pettiford, a/k/a “Na,” 23, of Jersey City
• Desmar Rivers, a/k/a “Pacman,” 26 of Jersey City
• Stephon Turner, 26, of Jersey City
• Tyler Thornton, 30, of Jersey City
• Christopher Maldonado, a/k/a “G Chris,” 18, of Jersey City
• Keiyan Golden, a/k/a “Kevin Council,” 48, of Jersey City
• Cornell Bell, 49 of Jersey City
• Serge Rodriguez, 29, of Jersey City
• Gerard Crawford, a/k/a “Jason Reed,” 51, of Jersey City, and
• Alfred Reaves, 56, of Jersey City.

“Our priority has always been to protect the people of Jersey City, and today’s operation shows that commitment in action," said Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

West, Gaines, Felder, Garrett, Washington, Thomas, Frimpong, Harvey, Torres, Pettiford, Rivers, Turner, Thorton, and Maldonado are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, known as “SaLaf.”

Federal, state, and local investigators observed and documented hundreds of narcotics transactions that occurred within and around the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, officials say.

The investigation revealed that Bell, Rodriguez, Crawford, and Reaves were suppliers of narcotics to the SaLaf drug trafficking organization, officials said.

"Today’s arrests and charges mark another strike in our relentless war against the deadly narcotics and ruthless street gangs that infest and terrorize our communities," said Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.

“Today’s arrests are a testament to the collaborative work of law enforcement. Every illegal drug removed from the streets helps ensure the safety of our community,” stated Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello.