Union, Somerset, Middlesex County Drug Bust Nets 57 Suspects
In an operation codenamed “Crossroads Crackdown,” investigators have arrested 57 suspects in Union, Somerset, and Middlesex counties alleging that they were part of a cocaine and heroin distribution ring. According to investigators, two separate drug distribution rings, one operating out of Plainfield, NJ and one operating out of Franklin, NJ both had ties to Harry Jackson, Sr., of Somerset, NJ. The Plainfield operation was allegedly run by Rickey Currie, and the Franklin operation was allegedly run by Angel Guadalupe. As the alleged leaders of the various drug rings, these individuals have been charged with second degree drug possession with intent to distribute in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5, and conspiracy to distribute drugs in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2. A number of other individuals who allegedly participated in the sale of cocaine and heroin have also been charged with second degree drug possession with intent to distribute. These individuals face serious consequences. Second degree crimes carry a prison term between 5 and 10 years, with a presumption of imprisonment. A number of individuals in this case have also been charged with intent to possess heroin or cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-10, which is a third degree crime. A third degree crime carries a prison term between 3 and 5 years; however, for a first offense, there is a presumption of non-imprisonment. Anyone charged with drug distribution or drug possession in New Jersey should contact a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer for representation.
Police are alleging that Harry Jackson Sr. of Bound Brook, served as the Somerset county connection for the drug distribution operation based out of Plainfield, allegedly run by Rickey Currie and a separate operation based out of Franklin allegedly run by Angel Guadalupe. Also implicated in the drug distribution bust are Jackson’s sister, Marion Jackson and her daughter, and Jackson’s fiancée. Police are alleging that these individuals sold cocaine and heroin in Bound Brook and Somerville. Police are also alleging that Harry Jackson obtained heroin from Currie, Patrick Hendrix of Elizabeth, and Guadalupe.
Investigators are alleging that Currie ran a heroin operation from his residence in Plainfield and sold to various customers in Somerset and Union counties. Hendrix was allegedly Currie’s runner. Police are alleging that Daryl Cooper of Newark was Currie’s supplier. Currie, Hendrix and Cooper were charged with second-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
Investigators are alleging that Guadalupe and an individual named Wilberto “Smooth” Medina sold cocaine to customers in Middlesex and Somerset counties. Police arrested Guadalupe as he met with Franklin resident Erick Jenkins in New Brunswick. Police are alleging that during the meeting, Guadalupe was selling cocaine to Jenkins. Police have also charged Guadalupe’s girlfriend, Taisha Henderson, with trying to hinder the investigation by destroying evidence. Guadalupe, Medina, and Henderson were charged with second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute the drug. Henderson was also charged with third-degree hindering apprehension.
Under N.J.S. 2C:35-5, it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or purposely: (1) To manufacture, distribute or dispense, or to possess or have under his control with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or (2) To create, distribute, or possess or have under his control with intent to distribute, a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance. Any person who violates subsection a. with respect to: Heroin, or its analog, or coca leaves and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of coca leaves, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is chemically equivalent or identical with any of these substances, or analogs, except that the substances shall not include decocainized coca leaves or extractions which do not contain cocaine or ecogine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, in a quantity of five ounces or more including any adulterants or dilutants is guilty of a crime of the first degree. If the amount is in a quantity of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, including any adulterants or dilutants, the person is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
Under N.J.S. 2C:35-10, it is unlawful for any person, knowingly or purposely, to obtain, or to possess, actually or constructively, a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog, unless the substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order form from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice. Any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled dangerous substance, or its analog, classified in Schedule I, II, III or IV other than those specifically covered in this section, is guilty of a crime of the third degree. Heroin and Cocaine are controlled dangerous substances classified as Schedule I.
Under N.J.S. 2C:5-2, A person is guilty of conspiracy with another person or persons to commit a crime if with the purpose of promoting or facilitating its commission he: (1) Agrees with such other person or persons that they or one or more of them will engage in conduct which constitutes such crime or an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime; or (2) Agrees to aid such other person or persons in the planning or commission of such crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit such crime. Under N.J.S. 2C:5-4, an attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime of the first degree is a crime of the second degree (other than murder), otherwise an attempt is a crime of the same degree as the most serious crime which is attempted, and conspiracy is a crime of the same degree as the most serious crime which is the object of the conspiracy; provided that, leader of organized crime is a crime of the second degree.
Under N.J.S. 2C:29-3, a person commits an offense if, with purpose to hinder the detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another he: (1) Harbors or conceals the other; (2) Provides or aids in providing a weapon, money, transportation, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension or effecting escape; (3) Suppresses, by way of concealment or destruction, any evidence of the crime, or tampers with a witness, informant, document or other source of information, regardless of its admissibility in evidence, which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him; (4) Warns the other of impending discovery or apprehension, except that this paragraph does not apply to a warning given in connection with an effort to bring another into compliance with law; (5) Prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, anyone from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a charge against him; (6) Aids such person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime; or (7) Gives false information to a law enforcement officer or a civil State investigator assigned to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. An offense under paragraph (5) of subsection a. of this section is a crime of the second degree, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child to the person aided who is the victim of the offense, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. Otherwise, the offense is a crime of the third degree if the conduct which the actor knows has been charged or is liable to be charged against the person aided would constitute a crime of the second degree or greater, unless the actor is a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent or child of the person aided, in which case the offense is a crime of the fourth degree. The offense is a crime of the fourth degree if such conduct would constitute a crime of the third degree. Otherwise it is a disorderly persons offense.
As this article illustrates, the persons charged in this drug bust face very serious consequences, regardless of whether they are charged with drug distribution, drug possession, conspiracy, or hindering the prosecution of others. Anyone charged with any of these crimes, or any other crime, in New Jersey should contact a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer for representation. Many times, police cast a wide net when they investigate these alleged drug rings, which provides an opportunity for indviduals in these cases to present various defenses. Therefore, a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer may be indisipensable in providing guidance to anyone charged with a crime or disorderly persons offense in New Jersey.
By: Nace Naumoski
