Crime & Safety
Parlin Man Worked With Latin King Members To Sell Fentanyl: Police
Prosecutors say they purchased the fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs in Newark, and sold the narcotics in Essex and Union counties.
PARLIN, NJ — A Parlin man was indicted Thursday for being part of a ring that sold fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in New Jersey, announced U.S. Attorney John Giordano.
The man is Joel Hernandez, 28, of Parlin; he goes by the nickname "Wells." He was indicted along with George Lopez, 50, of Newark and Reinaldo Cruz, 45, of Elizabeth. Each was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, according to this unsealed federal indictment.
Lopez and Cruz are associates of the Latin Kings street gang, said federal prosecutors.
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Prosecutors say they purchased the fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs in Newark, and sold the narcotics throughout Essex and Union counties. Hernandez was arrested with $6,627 on him, which prosecutors say was drug sale proceeds.
Lopez oversaw the drug ring while he was in jail, with his wife aiding him, said U.S. Attorneys.
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Undercover detectives had been monitoring the ring, and had done controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics and analyzed telephone records. The drug ring distributed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of cocaine and 40 grams of fentanyl.
Hernandez was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Lopez was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Cruz was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and one count of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
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