Five-Month Probe Leads to Arrest of Drug Ring Leader

COURT HOUSE — Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor and Wildwood Police Chief Steven Long have announced the conclusion of a five-month narcotics trafficking investigation, which led to the arrest of the leader of a drug ring.
The investigation culminated with the execution of search warrants at three locations in Wildwood and the arrests of David Roberson, 52, and Annette Roberson, 51, both of the 100 block of West Roberts Avenue, as well as Aneka Love, 20, of the 5000 block of Park Boulevard in Wildwood Crest and Reggie Thomas, 50, of the 100 East block of Roberts Avenue.
During the evening hours of August 19, search warrants on the Wildwood residences were executed simultaneously following the arrest of Roberson. At the time of his arrest, Roberson was operating his Chevrolet Blazer southbound on Route 47 in Middle Township accompanied by Thomas. Police seized approximately three ounces of suspected cocaine from the vehicle and over $1,500 from Roberson. Following his arrest, Roberson’s vehicle was seized for further investigation. The arrests and search warrants were executed by the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team with the assistance of local law enforcement and prosecutor detectives.
According to Taylor, David Roberson has been the leader of a large scale narcotics distribution network that operated throughout southern Cape May County. Roberson has utilized several subordinates to facilitate the delivery of cocaine to over 50 individuals within the county.
In addition to the suspected cocaine, also seized during the execution of the search warrants were five vehicles, an amount of suspected Hydrocodone and monetary proceeds from Roberson’s drug distribution scheme. The Prosecutor’s Office will seek forfeiture of all the vehicle and cash.
David Roberson was charged as a Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, a first degree crime; Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in excess of Five Ounces, a first degree crime; Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance over ½ ounce, a second degree crime and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a third degree crime. Roberson was committed to the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $400,000 bail.
Annette Roberson was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a third degree crime and Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance, also a third degree crime. Annette Robertson was committed to the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Aneka Love was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, a crime of the second degree. Love was committed to the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Reggie Thomas was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute in an amount over ½ ounce, a second degree crime and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a third degree crime.
Prosecutor Taylor advises that persons convicted of first degree crimes are subject to imprisonment of ten to twenty years in New Jersey State Prison, persons convicted of second degree crimes are subject to five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison and persons convicted of third degree crimes are subject to three to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
According to Prosecutor Taylor, the case is on-going and additional arrests are pending. Prosecutor Taylor also credited the cooperative efforts of all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation with its successful conclusion. Throughout this investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force worked with the Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, Cape May, Middle Township, Lower Township police departments and the county Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.