NJ State Police: Multiple drug mills busted, 19 suspects arrested
Narcotics stamped with the same brand names that have been linked to more than 50 overdoses across New Jersey were recovered in a takedown of three drug mills operating out a community complex in Newark, the New Jersey State Police has announced.
Following an eight-month investigation, State Police arrested 19 suspects for their alleged roles related to the distribution of narcotics in wax folds, according to the announcement.
As part of "Operation Falling Spires," authorities on May 19 executed search warrants at seven apartments in the Garden Spires complex and arrested nine suspects in the process. As a result of the searches, authorities seized four guns, 500 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, 5 grams of crack, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, materials for packaging narcotics, and stamps used to brand the narcotics.
Recovered stamps include "Frank Lucas" and "SRT," State Police said. Those two brands alone have been linked to five fatal overdoses in New Jersey.
“These operations are designed to target drug distribution networks and choke off the supply line of deadly opioids," said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "Shutting down distribution where it originates prevents lethal brands of stamps, like those seized in this operation, from entering our communities, which greatly reduces both overdoses and fatalities."
Based on information obtained during the investigation, NJSP said, detectives discovered that multiple drug mills were being operated out of the complex and were a distribution point for narcotics in the area. Authorities arrested 10 additional suspects over the course of their investigation.
The suspects
Taakiya Grant, 33, of Newark
- Maintaining a heroin/fentanyl production facility
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Possessing a firearm while conspiring to manufacture and distribute heroin/fentanyl
- Receiving stolen property
Derrol Nickels, 51, of Newark
- Maintaining a heroin/fentanyl production facility
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
Tashan Black, 22, of Newark
- Maintaining a heroin/fentanyl production facility
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
- Possession of a high-capacity magazine
Jihad Snead, 28, of Newark
- Maintaining a heroin/fentanyl production facility
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Ibrahim Bennett, 35, of Newark
- Maintaining a heroin/fentanyl production facility
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Isaiah Parrish, 23, of Newark
- Possession of a stolen handgun
- Possession of hollow-point ammunition
- Possession of large capacity magazine
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Jabriel Brown, 24, of Newark
- Possession of drugs
- Distribution of drugs
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
Faquan Johnson, 22, of Newark
- Possession of a handgun without a permit
- Certain persons not to possess a weapon
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of drugs within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of drugs within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Dashaun Wright, 32, of Newark
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 500 feet of a park
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Carnel Wright, 22, of Woodbridge
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 500 feet of a park
- Conspiracy to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Ray Odom, 58, of Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
Aquah Woolard, 20, Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl within 500 feet of a park
- Distribution of heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Conspiracy
Donald Scott,26, of Newark
- Possession of drugs
- Possession of drugs with intent to distribute
Levar Parker, 47, of Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession of drug packing material
Alquan Parker, 22, of Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession of drug packing material
Jamar Horne, 42, of Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
- Possession of drug packing material
Al Rashid Turner, 43, of Newark
- Possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia
Terrence Woods, 37, of Newark
- Possession of heroin/fentanyl
Naim Stewart, 27, of Newark
- Eluding
Contact reporter Dino Flammia at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com.
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