By: Richard L. Smith
Thirty-one individuals have been charged and 29 taken into custody following a major federal investigation into a Jersey City-based drug trafficking organization, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
According to information released by federal officials, the charges stem from a long-term wiretap investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New Jersey State Police, and the Jersey City Police Department.
Authorities said 26 defendants made their initial court appearances Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judges Jessica S. Allen and Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court, while three others appeared Thursday before Judge Allen.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, the defendants are accused of operating a drug trafficking organization that distributed narcotics in the area of Myrtle Avenue and Mallory Avenue in Jersey City and surrounding neighborhoods.
Investigators used court-authorized wiretaps to intercept communications over multiple cell phones linked to the operation and also relied on controlled drug purchases, surveillance, and phone record analysis.
The investigation revealed that the organization distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
Law enforcement conducted more than a dozen controlled drug buys during the probe, including substances that tested positive for fentanyl.
On April 22, authorities executed dozens of search warrants at locations tied to the organization, seizing approximately 15 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, three kilograms of suspected cocaine, a kilogram press, 19 firearms, high-capacity magazines, a bulletproof vest, and more than $160,000 in cash. Two additional firearms were recovered earlier in the investigation.
Federal prosecutors said the charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 40 years if convicted.
Additional charges include possession with intent to distribute, which carries up to 20 years, and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, which carries up to 15 years.
Those charged include Jamaar McGeachy, also known as “Mooky”; Johnel Dunlap, also known as “Supreme”; Albert Clawson, also known as “Pop”; Robert Sawh; Nakia Wiggins; Kion Amaker, also known as “Scooby”; Kenneth Hayward, also known as “Cutty”; Jimmy Lee Cooper, also known as “Flip”; Christopher Dangelo Jr.; Shane Irby; Rahean Brown, also known as “Rah Rah”; Shaon Griffin; Duran Williams, also known as “D Nice”; Omar Sisay; Henry Beato; Kevin Hampton, also known as “CB”; Dwight McGeachy; Bruce Taylor; Jamahl Daniels; Thomas Nesmith; Yusef Greene; Ikechi Anaele, also known as “Ike”; Rashonda Rivers; Sequanna Rivers; Ramere Parker, also known as “Parks”; Abdul Ramsey; Jeremy Powell, also known as “O Dog”; Kasib Johnson, also known as “Peso”; Bashir Allen, also known as “Barshir Allen”; Shayne Love; Manel Smith; and Rashid Saleem.
Authorities noted that some defendants face additional charges, including Bruce Taylor, who is charged with both drug conspiracy and a firearms offense; Shayne Love, who is charged with a drug distribution offense; and Manel Smith and Rashid Saleem, who are each charged with drug distribution and firearms offenses.