2 NJ Men Accused Of Bringing Drugs Into Orange County

PORT JERVIS, NY — A long-term investigation into the drug connection between Patterson, New Jersey, and Port Jervis led to the arrest of two New Jersey men.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler, Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois and Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden announced that Khalif Johnson, 22, and Zakhi Jenkins, 19, both of Patterson, New Jersey, were charged Tuesday with first- and second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, felonies.

They were accused of having sold a total of 3 ounces of crack cocaine and 650 bags of fentanyl to undercover police officers between June 22 and Tuesday.

Authorities said the arrests were the result of a several-months-long joint investigation conducted by the City of Port Jervis Police Department and the Orange County Drug Taskforce, with the assistance of the Orange County District Attorney's Office, targeting the drugs coming from Patterson, New Jersey, into Port Jervis and surrounding communities.

During the entire investigation, police recovered 3 ounces of crack cocaine and about 1,150 bags of fentanyl, along with more than $6,000 in United States currency.

Hoovler said the dangers presented by fentanyl and crack cocaine are all too well known.

He commended law enforcement for recognizing one of the major pathways through which these potentially lethal substances are flowing into area communities.

"It is only through the coordinated action of law enforcement agencies," Hoovler said, "in conjunction with support from municipal leaders and community groups, that those who suffer from addition can be freed from these substances and the traffickers that prey on their addiction."

Johnson and Jenkins were arraigned and sent without bail to the Orange County Jail pending action by the Orange County Grand Jury. Each man faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.