Operation Whitehouse Results in Seizure of Heroin, Cocaine Worth Millions

COURT HOUSE – Removal from “the street” of 33 pounds (roughly equivalent of two sacks of dog chow) of heroin and 4.4 pounds (nearly a bag of sugar) of cocaine translates into an estimated $10 million to $15 million hole in someone’s account for heroin and about $500,000 for the cocaine. According to Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor, “the vast majority (of those narcotics) was destined for elsewhere, not all here or to Cumberland County.”
In a July 15 release, Taylor announced the end of “Operation Whitehouse,” a months-long, multi-agency narcotics investigation that was described by him as “the largest narcotics distribution network in Cape May County history.”
The June 18 dragnet by law enforcement agencies swept more than drugs out of reach of users; it resulted in 17 individuals arrested, two as kingpins, as of July 15. Spearheading the investigation was the Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.
Also in the wake of the inter-agency investigation, six horses, two properties and numerous vehicles were seized. Taylor said “Some of those six horses have considerable value, which will be evaluated.” The animals, he noted, were not used in the distribution of the illicit narcotics.
Broken into street-level sales, Taylor said the confiscated heroin was the approximate equivalent of 650,000 individual baggies.
Also out of drug sellers’ hands or safes was about $225,000 in cash, which he stated was “believed to be the direct proceeds of heroin-related distribution in both counties.” That currency “potentially could have purchased almost four kilograms (8.8 pounds) of heroin that would not be distributed by drug dealers,” he said.
Speaking of the cash and what drugs it could have purchased when reinvested, Taylor noted that it could have been “cut” even more, perhaps in half, and “still have been more pure than it used to be.” He estimated that 50,000 bags of heroin could be derived from one kilogram (2.2 pounds).
All items seized are subject to forfeiture depending upon ownership and equity evaluations, he stated.
When federal agencies, are involved in such a case, which agency handles the prosecution? “At this point in time, our intent is to prosecute the two named persons and the people named in the June 18 release,” said Taylor. “If the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for some reason, decides or requests they supersede, we will consider that,” he added.
What is the scope of the June 18 arrests in the region’s drug distribution?
“The amount we seized June 18, 7,700 packages from a vehicle, was double the amount of seizures we had in 2013, which was approximately 3,500 bags. Just that one seizure from one dealer doubled that amount,” Taylor said.
“It’s a little early to tell what the impact is going to be, but I believe we reduced the amount of heroin available in Cape May County,” said the prosecutor.
Carlos Guzman and Hector Ramos were named in the June 18 release as having been charged as leaders of a narcotics trafficking network, in addition to manufacturing and distribution of controlled dangerous substance charges and other offenses.
Others also charged at that time for conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance was: Miguel Claudio, Juan A. Lopez, Maritza Jenkins, Toby Simmons, Jose I. Baez, Edward Perez, Angelica Alvarado, Romulo Rojas Navarro and Badie M. Hmaidan.
All the above are considered innocent of all charges unless and until proven guilty in court.