Photos and video by Al Campbell.
COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May County Prosecutor, Robert L. Taylor and Cumberland County Prosecutor, Jennifer Webb-McRae announce the conclusion of a large scale narcotics investigation.
On June 18, a two-month long large-scale Cape May County narcotics investigation initiated by the Cape May County Prosecutors Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force culminated in the execution of multiple search warrants in both Cape May and Cumberland Counties.
Carlos Guzman and Hector Ramos were charged with leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree, in violation of NJSA 2C:35-3; manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance, first degree, in violation of NJSA 2C:35-5(a)(1) and NJSA 2C:35-5(b)(1); and conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, in violation of NJSA 2C:5-2. There is also an additional suspect in custody with international drug distribution connections.
In addition, the following individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, in violation of NJSA 2C:5-2 and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, third degree, in violation of NJSA 2C:5-2:
Miguel Claudio
Juan A. Lopez
Maritza Jenkins
Toby Simmons
Jose I. Baez
Edward Perez
Angelica Alvarado
Romulo Rojas Navarro
Badie M. Hmaidan
Search warrants were executed at the following properties:
– 513 North Wildwood Blvd, Room 23, Middle Township
– 210 West Spencer Avenue, Wildwood
– Goodman’s Self Storage, Unit A8, Cape May Court House
– Burleigh Storage, 661 Shunpike Road, Burleigh
– 2401 New Jersey Avenue, Wildwood
– 139 W. Hand Avenue, Wildwood
– Pan-A-Lu Motel, 242 E. Youngs Avenue, Room 1 3&1 5, Wildwood
– Sea Watch Motel, 5100 Atlantic Avenue, Room 19, Wildwood
– 1761 Almond Rd., Vineland
– 1821 Almond Rd., Vineland
– 1794 Cedar Avenue, Vineland
– 3435 Hancebridge Road, Vineland
Search warrants were also executed upon six separate vehicles.
Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network carries a mandatory penalty, if convicted, of life imprisonment with a 25 year period of parole ineligibility. First degree crimes carry a penalty of between 10 and 20 years New Jersey State Prison. Second degree crimes carry a penalty of between 5 and 10 years, and third degree crimes carry a penalty of between 3 and 5 years.
This is an ongoing investigation and searches are continuing. So far, the equivalent of 182,000 bags of heroin with a street value of in excess of $3.6 million dollars were seized. One handgun and also approximately $200,000 were also seized. An additional 7,700 bags of heroin with a street value in excess of $150,000 were seized from a vehicle in Cape May County.
Prosecutors Taylor and Webb-McRae thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and all of the local law enforcement agencies that assisted in this investigation.
THANK YOU LIST:
Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office
Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department
Bridgeton Police Department
Millville Police Department
DEA Atlantic City Resident Agency
FBI Atlantic City Resident Agency
Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Resident Agency
New Jersey State Police
Ocean City Police Department
Sea Isle City Police Department
Cape May County Sheriff’s Department
Lower Township Police Department
Middle Township Police Department
North Wildwood Police Department
Wildwood Crest Police Department
Wildwood Police Department
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
Salem County Prosecutor’s Office
Cape May County Regional SWAT Team
Atlantic County SWAT
New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit
FBI Newark Field Office SWAT
MAGLOCLEN
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
