Press release from Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office
Monroe Township Police Department assists in busting an extensive drug trafficking network based in Paulsboro.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office’s Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force, working in close partnership with multiple local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners, has charged 21 suspects with operating an extensive drug trafficking network based in Paulsboro.
“This organization’s illegal activities created direct harm for the local community and had regional impact as well,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles A. Fiore.
The majority of the arrests, along with execution of multiple search warrants, occurred in Paulsboro on July 9 during multi-agency operations.
Commenting on the complex, long-term investigation, which focused on individuals distributing and selling illegal drugs, Prosecutor Fiore noted, “Gloucester County and its residents have felt the devastating and staggering impact of the Opioid Crisis and the distribution and use of illegal drugs. Since January 1, 2018, there have been 49 fatal opioid overdoses in Gloucester County, compared to 69 for all of 2017.”
Detectives seized suspected narcotics- more than 400 grams of cocaine, 200 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 120 grams of heroin, 356 Percocet pills, 50 grams of marijuana, two handguns, a sawed-off shotgun and $39,000 in cash.
The suspected heroin was capable of producing over 3,000 individual wax folds- the typical packaging for street sale to individual buyers. The heroin is being analyzed by the New Jersey State Police Laboratory for the presence of fentanyl, which now plays a large and complex role in the carnage of the opioid crisis.
The following suspects have been identified and charged as members of the drug trafficking network:
Duane Johns, 31, Paulsboro
Darnell Samuels, 35, Wilmington, DE
Keenan B. Cheeks, 27, of Salem
Orlando Williams, 35, of Paulsboro
Trynell T. Foster, 26, of Paulsboro
Leonard Mears, 50, Paulsboro
Nicole Moore, 45, Paulsboro
Wanda Martin, 43, Paulsboro
Steven Johns, 28, Paulsboro
William Hodges, 37, Woodbury
Robert Madden, 25, Paulsboro
Thomas Gray, 31, Paulsboro
Brandon Carr, 34, Paulsboro
Damien Mears, 45, Paulsboro
James Johns, 26, Paulsboro
Shamar Gaines, 30, Glassboro
Samar Khalid, 24, Penns Grove
Douglas Eli, 43, Deptford
Anthony Kille, 19, Penns Grove
Shovanha Myers, 30, Paulsboro
Virginia Campbell, 56, Paulsboro
For the full press release visit the website: http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/civica/press/display.asp?layout=1&Entry=1152
