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U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops
Takedown Of Heroin, Fentanyl, Crack, Ring Nets 6 Arrests, Guns In Ocean County: Cops Six people from Ocean County were accused of taking part in a ring of selling drugs and guns, authorities said. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped several law enforcement agencies throughout Ocean County in the four-month investigation. County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the arrests made in the case in a news release on Monday, Apr. 15. Investigators said 28-year-old Kyree Kennedy of Lakewood was using several locations throughout the township to store and sell guns, heroin mixed with fentan…
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In Ocean County Drug Bust, Four Arrested Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In Ocean County Drug Bust, Four Arrested
Fentanyl, Heroin, Ecstasy Seized In Ocean County Drug Bust, Four Arrested Four people were accused of selling several drugs throughout Ocean County, including heroin and fentanyl, authorities said. The people arrested were 33-year-old Orthis Allen of Bayville, 33-year-old Ashley Banks of Brick, and two 23-year-olds from Toms River, Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the four arrests in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents helped Ocean County investigators and local police in a two-month-long investigation into illegal drugs sold throughout Ocean County. The investi…
Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors
Rio Grande Man Found With More Than 2,000 Heroin Bags: Prosecutors A Cape May County man was charged after police found him with more than 2,000 bags of heroin, authorities announced. Kelvin Claudio, 35, of Rio Grande, was arrested on Friday, Feb. 23, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced in a news release. His arrest came after an investigation that included agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. Police executed a search warrant on Claudio and several locations throughout Middle Township. Officers seized about 2,100 bags of suspected heroin and $1,373 in cash. Suspected h…
Keyport Man Sentenced In Jersey Shore Cocaine-Dealing Ring Keyport Man Sentenced In Jersey Shore Cocaine-Dealing Ring
Keyport Man Sentenced In Jersey Shore Cocaine-Dealing Ring A Monmouth County man will spend several years in prison after he was part of a cocaine-selling network throughout New Jersey, authorities said. Mark Capichana, 56, of Keyport, was sentenced on Friday, Feb. 2 to 14 years in prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced. Capichana received two seven-year sentences that will run consecutively after entering a guilty plea. Capichana was arrested as part of "Operation Checkmate," an investigation between June and October 2021. The operation targeted "high-level cocaine distribution" in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties,…
Heroin Kingpin Who Ran Fatal Drug Ring From Atlantic County Jail Eligible For Parole In 9 Years Heroin Kingpin Who Ran Fatal Drug Ring From Atlantic County Jail Eligible For Parole In 9 Years
Heroin Kingpin Who Ran Fatal Drug Ring From Atlantic County Jail Eligible For Parole In 9 Years A man who ran a heroin-selling network from the Atlantic County Jail was sentenced, authorities said. Emery Chapman, 44, of Pleasantville, was sentenced to 21 years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced on Friday, Feb. 2. Chapman will be eligible for parole after nine years and once he's released, he'll have five years of "intensive parole supervision" under the No Early Release Act. Prosecutors said Chapman gave heroin to 62-year-old Brian Whitted of Galloway Township in December 2018. Whitted then sold the heroin to 59-year-old Anthony Tamburelli. Tambur…
Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealers From Trenton Busted In Toms River: Prosecutors Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealers From Trenton Busted In Toms River: Prosecutors
Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Dealers From Trenton Busted In Toms River: Prosecutors Two Trenton men are accused of selling heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine across Ocean County, authorities said. Jireh Mathis, 27, and Tashawn McDonald, 23, were arrested after a two-month investigation. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced their arrests on Monday, Jan. 29. Police began surveillance on Mathis and McDonald in early December 2023. Mathis drove McDonald to the Green Meadow Apartment Complex in Toms River on Monday, Jan. 22. Officers approached the two men after they got out of their vehicle. Mathis tried to run away, but he was caught by police. McDonald was ar…
Feds: Leader Of Ring That Flooded South Jersey, Philly 'Burbs With Fentanyl, Meth Gets 18 Years Feds: Leader Of Ring That Flooded South Jersey, Philly 'Burbs With Fentanyl, Meth Gets 18 Years
Feds: Leader Of Ring That Flooded South Jersey, Philly 'Burbs With Fentanyl, Meth Gets 18 Years A drug kingpin who headed a network that slung fentanyl and meth in South Jersey and the suburbs of Philadelphia while he hid from his pursuers was sentenced Thursday to a plea-bargained 18 years in federal prison. Glenn Long, 29, of Philadelphia, must serve just about all of the time he received in U.S. District Court in Camden on Jan. 4 because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Long – known on the street as “Bless” and “Max” – ran the operation as a fugitive for three years while under a federal indictment for major drug trafficking out of Philadelphia. A second drug conspi…
'Below Deck' Star, Fort Salonga Urologist Used Cast Member Names To Obtain Opioids, DA Says 'Below Deck' Star, Fort Salonga Urologist Used Cast Member Names To Obtain Opioids, DA Says
'Below Deck' Star, Fort Salonga Urologist Used Cast Member Names To Obtain Opioids, DA Says A Long Island doctor and his wife are accused of using the names of reality show cast members to prescribe and fill prescriptions for opioid drugs. Francis and Jessica Martinis, of Fort Salonga, were arraigned on multiple charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Dec. 14. Mr. Martinis is a Northport-based urologist and works with several hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital and Huntington Hospital at Northwell Health. According to prosecutors, the couple landed in the sights of investigators in January 2023 when Jessica Martinis allegedly tried to fill a hand-written prescription f…
Pounds Of Cocaine Seized In Lancaster Helps Convict Last Member Of Puerto Rican Drug Ring Pounds Of Cocaine Seized In Lancaster Helps Convict Last Member Of Puerto Rican Drug Ring
Pounds Of Cocaine Seized In Lancaster Helps Convict Last Member Of Puerto Rican Drug Ring The seventh and final member of a drug smuggling ring that ran from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania — has been convicted, according to a release by the US Department of Justice on Nov. 16.  Moniqua Ramirez, 44, has been found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. She was convicted at the end of a three-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Ramirez, along with six other Puerto Ricans conspired to smuggle kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico into Central Pennsylvania using the US Post…
Elizabethtown Teen Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter For Crash Killing Dad Of 3: Police Elizabethtown Teen Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter For Crash Killing Dad Of 3: Police
Elizabethtown Teen Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter For Crash Killing Dad Of 3: Police A 19-year-old woman is accused of being on a Schedule One drug when she crashed her car into two motorcyclists — killing a father of three, authorities announced on Tuesday.  Molly Elora Duffy of Elizabethtown appeared before Magisterial District Judge Randall L. Miller for both her preliminary arraignment and hearing around 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 7, court records show.  Duffy is accused of driving under the influence of a Schedule One drug when her sedan struck two motorcycles at the intersection of River and Turnpike roads in Conoy Township around 2:18 p.m. on Apr…
8 Park View Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart: Sheriff 8 Park View Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart: Sheriff
8 Park View Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart: Sheriff Authorities are investigating a string of overdoses at a Loudoun County high school. New information from the county sheriff's office reveals eight students suffered opioid related overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling, seven of which happened in the last three weeks. Four of the overdoses occurred in the school, three of which required the administration of Narcan, the sheriff's office said. Two of those required CPR by school personnel. All the overdoses appear to involve fentanyl, which is commonly found in the form of a counterfeit 30 mg oxycodone pill that is blue, circular, a…
Nine Trey Bloods: 21 Charged In 'Violent' Drug, Gun Trafficking Probe In Suffolk County Nine Trey Bloods: 21 Charged In 'Violent' Drug, Gun Trafficking Probe In Suffolk County
Nine Trey Bloods: 21 Charged In 'Violent' Drug, Gun Trafficking Probe In Suffolk County After a year-long police investigation into a “violent” drug and gun trafficking ring on Long Island, nearly two dozen gang members are facing charges, including a man accused of selling fentanyl to a 25-year-old mother who later died from an overdose, authorities said. Among the 21 defendants named in the 197-count indictment announced on Monday, April 24, are several members of the Nine Trey Bloods street gang, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said several agencies - including the Suffolk County DA’s Fentanyl Task Force, Suffolk County Police Departm…
Unsuspecting Americans Dying From Fake Pills With Fentanyl, DEA Says Unsuspecting Americans Dying From Fake Pills With Fentanyl, DEA Says
Unsuspecting Americans Dying From Fake Pills With Fentanyl, DEA Says The US Drug Enforcement Administration is alerting the public of a sharp nationwide increase in potentially deadly fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl. DEA laboratory testing revealed that six out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. That's an increase from the DEA’s previous announcement in 2021 that four out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills were found to contain a potentially lethal dose. “This marks a dramatic increase – from four out of ten to six out of ten – in the number of pills that can kill,” said DEA …
‘Drug Take Back Day’ Yields Hundreds Of Pounds Of Unwanted Medication In Area ‘Drug Take Back Day’ Yields Hundreds Of Pounds Of Unwanted Medication In Area
‘Drug Take Back Day’ Yields Hundreds Of Pounds Of Unwanted Medication In Area A significant amount of unused prescription drugs is now off of local streets. On Saturday, April 30, several law enforcement agencies around the Capital District took part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The annual partnership between local police and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides safe locations where people can properly dispose of unwanted prescription medications. Among the agencies taking part this year was the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. In a Facebook post, they announced the event had yielded a whopping 145 pounds of unwanted medicine. The…
Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels
Man Admits Role In NJ/NY Network That Laundered $27M For International Drug Cartels The takedown of a New Jersey and New York network that laundered more than $27 million for Central and South American drug cartels has produced another guilty plea, federal authorities announced. Gilberto Martinez, 33, formerly of Clifton, "cleaned" more than $1 million himself, both by buying and directing others to buy cashier's checks using drug money, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Morristown police helped the DEA and IRS crack the case, in which more than 1,000 cashier’s checks were bought, he said. The buyers typically were paid a fee of $150 to $200 for each check…
Two Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Investigation Of Fairfield County Woman's Death Two Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Investigation Of Fairfield County Woman's Death
Two Detectives Suspended Over Handling Of Investigation Of Fairfield County Woman's Death Two Fairfield County detectives have been suspended over the handling of an investigation into the deaths of two women including Lauren Smith-Fields.  Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim made the announcement late Sunday, Jan. 30 that Bridgeport Police detective Angel Llanos and Detective Kevin Cronin were suspended from duties and put on administrative leave until an internal investigation and disciplinary cases have been completed. In addition, the supervisory officer who was in charge of overseeing these matters has retired from the department as of this past Friday, Jan. 28 Ganim added…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl, Heroin Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl, Heroin
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl, Heroin A Fairfield County man has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Anthony Gilchrist, age 32, of Bridgeport, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 26, to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Saturday, Nov. 20, the US Attorney's Office reported. Authorities have been investigating several gangs based in Bridgeport, including the "Greene Homes Boyz," whose members distribute heroin, crack cocaine, mariju…
Death Of Fairfield County Woman Out On Date To Be Investigated As Crime, Police Say Death Of Fairfield County Woman Out On Date To Be Investigated As Crime, Police Say
Death Of Fairfield County Woman Out On Date To Be Investigated As Crime, Police Say A criminal investigation has been opened into the death of a Fairfield County woman who died while on a date with a man she met on a dating app. The Bridgeport Police announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25, they have officially opened a case into the death of Lauren Smith-Fields, age 23, of Bridgeport, who was found dead in her apartment on Sunday, Dec. 12 by Bridgeport Police, said Captain Kevin Gilleran. Gilleran said that as a result of the medical examiner's report ruling the death as an accidental drug overdose, the department's Narcotics and Vice Division have opened a criminal investigation a…
NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds
NJ Doc Took Bribes From Pharma Company For Toxic Fentanyl Prescriptions: Feds A doctor from Central Jersey is accused of taking bribes and kickbacks in exchange for prescribing potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, authorities said. Mukaram Gazi, 51, of Marlboro in Monmouth County was charged with conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, receiving kickbacks, health care fraud and conspiring to unlawfully distribute dangerous narcotics, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig. According to Thursday's indictment: Gazi owned a urology practice with offices in Freehold, Hamilton, Howell and Toms River.  Gazi received more than $130,000 in bribes and…
Suburban Philly Pharmacist Exchanged Heroin, Fentanyl For Sex, Money: DA Suburban Philly Pharmacist Exchanged Heroin, Fentanyl For Sex, Money: DA
Suburban Philly Pharmacist Exchanged Heroin, Fentanyl For Sex, Money: DA A Pennsylvania pharmacist was arrested on accusations he prescribed oxycodone, Xanax, and fentanyl to at least two people in exchange for sexual favors, authorities announced. Martin Brian, 81 -- who owns Murray-Overhill Pharmacy located on State Street in Media -- became the center of an investigation when police came to check on two unconscious individuals behind the pharmacy the morning of Sunday, April 18, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. As the officers were in the process of identifying the individuals in the car, a woman -- identified by authorities…
Area Woman Nabbed For Writing Fake Prescriptions, Police Say Area Woman Nabbed For Writing Fake Prescriptions, Police Say
Area Woman Nabbed For Writing Fake Prescriptions, Police Say A Hudson Valley woman who worked at an area doctor's office has been arrested for allegedly illegally issuing narcotic prescriptions to multiple patients. Dutchess County resident Alison Albertson, age 53, of Hyde Park, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 4, following a yearlong investigation. The joint probe was conducted by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force and the US Drug Enforcement Administration, said Frank Tasciotti, assistant director of the task force. Alberson was employed for several years as an office assistant at the Office of Dr. Anthony Sarayno located…
Feds: Dealer Admits Selling Fentanyl Dose That Killed Jersey Shore Woman Feds: Dealer Admits Selling Fentanyl Dose That Killed Jersey Shore Woman
Feds: Dealer Admits Selling Fentanyl Dose That Killed Jersey Shore Woman A Trenton dealer admitted in federal court that she sold a Jersey Shore woman the fentanyl dose that killed her, authorities said. Tarashanna Blake, 33, met the 39-year-old victim near her Englishtown home, where the sale was made, on May 15, 2018, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Englishtown police found the buyer dead of an overdose later that day, with several folds of what at first appeared to be heroin stamped “CAMEL” nearby, Honig said. It was actually fentanyl, she said. Blake took a deal from the government rather than face trial, pleading guilty in U.S. District Court …
Imprisoned Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Orange County, Authorities Say Imprisoned Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Orange County, Authorities Say
Imprisoned Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Orange County, Authorities Say A twice-imprisoned drug dealer from New Jersey admitted he sold the heroin that killed a user from Orange County, authorities said. Shameik "Homeboy" Byrd, age 31, who’s currently serving a state prison sentence, told a federal judge via videoconference in Newark that the death of 25-year-old Kean Cabral of Warwick was caused by heroin from the batch of “Trap Queen” that he’d been selling. State authorities tried to prosecute Byrd and a couple who they said bought the drugs from him and sold some to Cabral in April 2016. They were overruled, however, by the New Jersey Supreme Court, which …
Feds: Imprisoned Paterson Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Warwick, NY Feds: Imprisoned Paterson Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Warwick, NY
Feds: Imprisoned Paterson Dealer Admits Selling Heroin That Killed User From Warwick, NY A twice-imprisoned drug dealer from Paterson admitted he sold the heroin that killed a user from Orange County, NY. Shameik "Homeboy" Byrd, 31, who’s currently serving a state prison sentence, told a federal judge via videoconference in Newark that the death of 25-year-old Kean Cabral of Warwick was caused by heroin from the batch of “Trap Queen” that he’d been selling. State authorities tried to prosecute Byrd and a couple who they said bought the drugs from him and sold some to Cabral in April 2016. They were over-ruled, however, by the New Jersey Supreme Court, which said they didn’t ha…
Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine, Pot Seized In Camden Bust, NJ State Police Say Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine, Pot Seized In Camden Bust, NJ State Police Say
Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine, Pot Seized In Camden Bust, NJ State Police Say Authorities seized 36 pounds of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and marijuana in a recent South Jersey drug-dealing bust. Four people were arrested after authorities seized more than $350,000 in cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and marijuana as well as nearly $51,000 cash, a stolen handgun and three vehicles, state police said.  The arrests in Camden and Gloucester Township came after a 17-month investigation involving local, state, county and federal law enforcement authorities. Warranted searches were made by police on March 30 at a home in Gloucester Township and three other residences in Camde…
Lethal Drugs Disguised As Prescription Pills Being Peddled On Long Island, DA Warns Lethal Drugs Disguised As Prescription Pills Being Peddled On Long Island, DA Warns
Lethal Drugs Disguised As Prescription Pills Being Peddled On Long Island, DA Warns Counterfeit prescription pills that are made of potentially lethal substances such as methamphetamine and fentanyl have been making the rounds on Long Island, authorities are warning. Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini has issued an alert cautioning that police on Long Island have seen a new trend of methamphetamine being pressed into pills and marketed as Adderall. Fentanyl has also been marketed as subscription Oxycodone, Sini noted, creating a potential hazard situation on Long Island. 
“This is an extremely alarming trend that can put users’ lives at risk,” he said. "Anytime…
AG: 8 Philadelphia Men Indicted In Drug Trafficking Operation AG: 8 Philadelphia Men Indicted In Drug Trafficking Operation
AG: 8 Philadelphia Men Indicted In Drug Trafficking Operation Eight Philadelphia men were arrested for their roles in a drug trafficking operation that uncovered two kilograms of cocaine, a ghost gun, $74,000 in cash and more, authorities announced. Authorities from the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Philadelphia Police Department executed search warrants for the homes, cars, and cell phones of the eight men suspected to be operating the drug trafficking operation on Wednesday, Mar Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. Troopers during the search found six firearms -- including a 9mm Polymer80 ghost gun with an e…
Newark Bizman: I Laundered $23M For Dominican Drug Network Newark Bizman: I Laundered $23M For Dominican Drug Network
Newark Bizman: I Laundered $23M For Dominican Drug Network A Newark man admitted that he laundered $23 million for a Dominican drug network while awaiting trial for doing it before. Edwin Deleon-Batista, 37, told a federal judge in Newark that he collected huge amounts of cash from drug sales in New Jersey, New York, and Florida and converted them to cashier’s checks at local banks. Deleon-Batista was free on bond for federal money laundering charges following his arrest in New York in April 2019, Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachel A. Honig said. Soon after, he “began using a stolen identity and obtained a fraudulent Florida driver’s licen…
North Arlington Meth Dealer Caught Selling 8 Balls Gets Nine Years In Fed Pen North Arlington Meth Dealer Caught Selling 8 Balls Gets Nine Years In Fed Pen
North Arlington Meth Dealer Caught Selling 8 Balls Gets Nine Years In Fed Pen A convicted North Arlington meth dealer who was caught selling “8 balls” must spend the next nine years in federal prison. A federal judge in Newark sentenced Jeff DelaCruz, 38, to the plea-bargained term on Tuesday for having nearly two ounces of meth for sale. DelaCruz must serve just about all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. DEA agents watched in May 2019 as DelaCruz sold two “8-balls” of methamphetamine for $350 in cash, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. He then agreed to sell three ounces of meth to a buyer for about $3,000, Carpenito added…
Edgewater Man Gets 7 Years In Fed Pen For Plot To Traffic 20 Kilos Of California Coke Edgewater Man Gets 7 Years In Fed Pen For Plot To Traffic 20 Kilos Of California Coke
Edgewater Man Gets 7 Years In Fed Pen For Plot To Traffic 20 Kilos Of California Coke An Edgewater man must spend the next seven years in federal prison for scheming to truck nearly 45 kilos of cocaine from California to New Jersey. Irving Olivero-Pena, 48, was the last of three men sentenced after all admitted that they gave a courier $549,950 to bring to California to buy the drugs. Authorities in California seized the cash and kept the drug shipment from leaving the state, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. Also striking deals with the government were Robert Crawford, 45, of Long Island City, NY, who was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in July 2015, and Melvin F…
Feds Charge Jersey Shore Pain Management Doc With Massive $24.6M Billing Fraud Feds Charge Jersey Shore Pain Management Doc With Massive $24.6M Billing Fraud
Feds Charge Jersey Shore Pain Management Doc With Massive $24.6M Billing Fraud A Jersey Shore pain management doctor accused of running a $24.6 million fraud scheme billed insurance plans for more than 24 hours worth of services in a single day no fewer than 900 times, federal authorities said Monday. Morris Antebi, 68, of Long Branch, also billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies frequently on dates when travel records show he was overseas -- including trips to China, Israel, Turkey, the Dominican Republic and across Europe – and at other times when he was otherwise out of state, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. Antebi, who specializes in pain ma…