COURT HOUSE – Ariel Rodriguez, 22, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty March 24 to one count of first degree distribution of heroin, Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor announced in a March 31 release. This plea was in connection with “Operation Dream Chaser” investigation, a large-scale narcotics investigation initiated in January 2015 by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force, local agencies, the DEA and the FBI targeting Javier Alicia-Garcia as a leader of a narcotics trafficking network.
At the conclusion of “Operation Dream Chaser” a total of 15 individuals were arrested, approximately $348,903, two residential properties and over 25 vehicles were seized for forfeiture.
On March 24, during Rodriquez’s plea he stated he traveled from Philadelphia to Cape May County for the purpose of delivering 50 grams of heroin which equals 2,500 bags with a street value of over $25,000 to Javier Alicia-Garcia in exchange for money.
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.
Prosecutor Taylor stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local municipalities along with State and Federal Agencies to target drug distributors selling illegal controlled dangerous substances. Prosecutor Taylor continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and/or any criminal activity within the community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, or Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
