Central Jersey Man Sold Fentanyl In New Brunswick, Paterson

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — A New Brunswick man was convicted July 29 for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

Federal prosecutors say from Nov. 12, 2019, through June 30, 2020, Kenneth Strickland, 57, of New Brunswick, was a member of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing bulk quantities of fentanyl in Paterson, New Brunswick and other areas of New Jersey.

Strickland engaged in 16 drug sales to an undercover police officer, during which he sold brick quantities of fentanyl containing hundreds of doses of the deadly drug, stamped with labels such as “MY SHADOW,” “DEATH ROW,” and “VENOM.”

Law enforcement learned that Strickland was sourcing his drug supply from the drug trafficking organization and selling to multiple other customers in New Jersey as part of his membership in the organization.

On June 30, 2020, law enforcement lawfully searched locations in Paterson and Passaic associated with the drug trafficking organization, where they recovered more than 350 additional grams of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, such as stamping tools that corresponded to those found on fentanyl that Strickland sold to the undercover detective.

He is facing up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2024.