Gun-Flashing Fentanyl Drug Gang Busted In Washington Heights: DEA

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Members of a drug selling and gun-flashing gang operating in Washington Heights for at least the last three years were arrested this week, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Wednesday.

Known as the Own Every Dollar Gang — OED for short — members sold fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana in and around Washington Heights from 2019 to 2022, according to a release from the DEA.

The gang operated mostly between West 180th and 193rd streets between Audubon and St. Nicholas Aves., reads a criminal complaint.

"The Own Every Dollar gang used social media to glamorize their drug enterprise, conduct drug transactions and brandish weapons instilling fear in the community," DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy Foley said in a news release about the arrests.

A total of 10 of the gang's members were arrested on Wednesday, charged with conspiracy to traffic narcotics and using guns in furtherance of that conspiracy.

Here are the uptown gang members who were charged, including with the intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, according to the DEA:

• Jerrin Pena, a/k/a “Rooga,” a/k/a “Perry,”
• Ariel Oliver, a/k/a “8Ball,” a/k/a “Ocho,”
• Justin Deaza, a/k/a “Booka,”
• Wilson Mendez, a/k/a “Tati,”
• Jowenky Nunez, a/k/a “Juju,”
• Brian Hernandez, a/k/a “Malikai,”
• Victor Colon, a/k/a “V,”
• Jose Gutierrez, a/k/a “G,”
• Argenis Tavarez, a/k/a “Nose,” and
• Nijmah Marte, a/k/a “N,”

Nunez and Tavarez remain at large.

If convicted, the fentanyl charge on its own has a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison.

“The details of this investigation make clear: Criminal gangs, illegal guns, and illicit drugs are a dangerous combination – and will never be tolerated in our city, and any person who deals in the criminal behavior alleged in this case will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said about the Washington Heights drug bust.