‘Cold Front’ Drug Sweep Results in 25 Arrests

During the course of this long-term narcotics investigation, it was determined that on the evening of June 17, Michael Morales, Xavier Goicohia, and William Sierra were allegedly involved in shooting a hand gun into an apartment on the 200 East block Youngs Avenue in Wildwood. No one was home at the time of the shooting and as a result no one was injured. The scene of the shooting was processed by detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Police Department.

Due to the nature of this large-scale drug distribution network, 12 court authorized search warrants were executed in the early morning hours of June 18.

So far, as a result of this investigation, over 1,800 bags of heroin with a street value in excess of $18,000 has been seized, approximately 1.5 ounces of cocaine with a street value of approximately $4,200, a total of $54,000, and four firearms, one of which was a handgun. This is an ongoing investigation and additional search warrants and arrest warrants are pending. Forfeiture of assets utilized during this criminal activity will be filed through Superior Court of New Jersey Special Civil Court.

Individuals arrested to date as a result of this investigation are:

Michael Morales, 24, residing in the 100 East block Lincoln Avenue, Wildwood, was charged with leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree, conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, burglary, second degree, unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree. Morales was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $700,000 cash bail set by Judge Bernard Delury, PJSC.

Xavier Alicea Goicochia, 20, residing in the 200 East block Cresse Avenue, Wildwood, was charged with leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree, conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, burglary, second degree, unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree, and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree. Goicochia was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $700,000 cash bail set by Judge Delury.

William Sierra, 31, of the 200 East block Cresse Avenue, Wildwood, was charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, conspiracy to commit burglary, second degree, conspiracy to unlawfully possess a weapon, second degree, and conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree. Sierra was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $300,000 cash bail set by Judge Delury.

In addition, the following individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, second degree:

Wilson Reyes-Goycochea, 30, of the 100 West block Roberts Avenue, Wildwood

Christian Ramos, 21, of the 100 West block Roberts Avenue, Wildwood

Carlos Ramos-Maldonado, 25, of the 3800 block Pacific Avenue, Wildwood

Jorge Aviles-Morales, 27, of the 3700 block Arctic Avenue, Wildwood

Clay W. Smith, 45, of Amberjack Road, Court House

Eric R. Nolan, 33, of Greenwood Avenue, Lower Township

The above individuals were lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 cash bail set by Judge Delury.

Jonathan Ramos-Ocasio, 28, of the 400 block West Garfield Avenue, Wildwood, and Virginia Long, 27, of the 3800 block Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, were charged with distribution of controlled dangerous substance, third degree, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a public place, second degree. Long and Ramos‑Ocasio were lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $75,000 cash bail set by Judge Delury.

Gary W. Lucas, 42, of Croydon Drive, North Cape May, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree, and distribution of a controlled substance, third degree. Lucas was released with a complaint summons pending court proceedings.

Christine V. Pagan, 29, of the 500 block North Wildwood Boulevard, and Brittany Neeb, 29, of the 200 East block Cresse Avenue, Wildwood, were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and released with a complaint summons pending court proceedings.

Arrested on June 20 was Shane M. Sweeney, 50, of the 400 block Route 9 North in Court House who was charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree, and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance, second degree.

Search warrants were executed at 12 properties.

Search warrants were also executed upon five motor vehicles which were also seized as part of this investigation.

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 in New Jersey State Prison. Second degree crimes carry a penalty of between five and 10 years, and third degree crimes carry a penalty of between three and five years.

Prosecutor Taylor commends the outstanding efforts and thanks all of the law enforcement agencies who assisted in this investigation:

Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office

Wildwood Police Department

North Wildwood Police Department

Wildwood Crest Police Department

Middle Township Police Department