$117K In Drugs, Several Guns Seized In South Jersey Crack Ring Bust

BRIDGETON, NJ - Eight New Jersey residents were charged in a month-long probe that led to the seizure of over $117,600 in drugs and several weapons in South Jersey.

Jermina Lewis, Ricardo Martin, Desmond Samuels, Dihmere Hadden, Desmond Donaldson Jr., Sanya Lawrence, Prince Samuels and Cleve Murray were charged on June 29 after troopers from the New Jersey State Police Metro South Unit executed search warrants at multiple residents in Cumberland County, as well as on a BMW sedan at a Fairfield Township home.

As a result of the investigation, troopers seized more than 21 pounds of marijuana, more than a pound of crack cocaine, 41 oxycodone pills, 7.7 ounces of methamphetamine, heroin, 7 handguns, 1 ghost gun rifle, 1 sawed off shotgun, a handgun conversion kit, more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition, 8 high-capacity magazines, 3 ballistic vests, drug paraphernalia, and more than $38,000 cash, New Jersey State Police said in a statement.

Lewis, Martin, Samuels and Hadden, all of Bridgeton, are lodged in the Cumberland County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Donaldson Jr., of Upper Deerfield, are also lodged in the Cumberland County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Lawrence is lodged in Camden County Jail pending a detention hearing. Samuels and Murray were released pending a future court date.

“As a result of this investigation, our detectives have undoubtedly made the Cumberland County and surrounding areas safer by preventing these drugs from reaching the communities and removing guns from the streets,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Our dedication to keeping our residents and visitors of New Jersey safe is always going to be our top priority. Therefore, we remain committed to holding offenders accountable who terrorize our neighborhoods with gun violence and illicit drug activity.”

The investigation stemmed from a New Jersey State Police probe into the distribution of narcotics in Cumberland County, according to the NJSP. Troopers from the State Police Metro South Unit received information that Lewis, 48, was distributing crack cocaine in the region. Troopers later found that she was working out of two residences in Fairfield Township and Bridgeton City.

The following suspects have been charged in the ring:

Jermina Lewis, 48, of Bridgeton

• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of CDS
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a sawed-off shotgun
• Certain persons not to possess weapons
• Unlawful possession of a ghost gun
• Possession of an assault firearm
• Endangering the welfare of a child

Sanya Lawrence, 30 of Bridgeton

• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of CDS
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a sawed-off shotgun
• Unlawful possession of a ghost gun
• Possession of an assault firearm
• Endangering the welfare of a child

Prince Samuels, 56, of Bridgeton

• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of CDS
Dihmere Hadden, 28, of Bridgeton, N.J.
• Possession of CDS
• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense

Desmond Samuels, 53, of Bridgeton

• Possession of CDS
• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense
• Certain persons not to possess weapons

Desmond Donaldson Jr., 30, of Upper Deerfield

• Possession of CDS
• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense

Ricardo Martin, 40, of Bridgeton

• Possession of CDS
• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Possession of a firearm during a CDS offense
• Certain persons not to possess weapons
• Tampering with evidence

Cleve Murray, 64, of Bridgeton

• Possession of CDS
• Distribution of CDS
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of CDS paraphernalia

“New Jersey residents deserve to live in communities free of drug trafficking and the dangers it brings,” said Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in a statement. “By identifying and dismantling criminal drug networks like this one, we are not just ridding affected communities of dangerous narcotics, we’re removing illegal guns from the streets and making our neighborhoods safer.”