Multiple law enforcement agencies in NJ announced Operation “Fire and Ice” following a seven month investigation relative to the distribution of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and firearms in Somerset County.
Acting Prosecutor Chirichella stated that on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 law enforcement authorities executed twenty Superior Court ordered search warrants, arrested and charged the following defendants:
1. Jeffrey Cope, age 58, Somerset, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute (4 counts); Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute (3 counts); Second Degree Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm (3 counts); Second Degree Possession of a Firearm without a Permit (2 counts); Third Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute (2 counts); Third Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Third Degree Possession of a Shotgun without Permit to Carry; Fourth Degree Illegal Sale of a Firearm (handgun) (2 counts); Fourth Degree Illegal Sale of a Shotgun; Fourth Degree Conspiracy to Sell a Shotgun; and Fourth Degree Sale of Firearms without Proper License (2 counts).
2. Thomas O’Brien, age 58, Somerset, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (methamphetamine); and Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (cocaine).
3. Shayne Murdock, age 43, Raritan Borough, NJ –First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (methamphetamine); and Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (cocaine).
4. Jermaine Lloyd, age 41, South Bound Brook, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (methamphetamine); Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (cocaine); and Fourth Degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm.
5. Jason Fort, age 31, Bound Brook, NJ – Second Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (cocaine); Second Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (methamphetamine), and Fourth Degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm.
6. David Ninson, age 33, Somerset, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (methamphetamine); and Second Degree Promoting the Sale of CDS (cocaine).
7. Shakaun Toney, age 34, Somerset, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (methamphetamine) with the Intent to Distribute.
8. George Hanriot, age 45, Somerset, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; First Degree Possession of CDS (marijuana) with the Intent to Distribute, 1st degree, Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute, 2nd degree, Promoting or Facilitating the Sale of CDS, 2nd degree, and Possessing a Firearm in the course of Committing a CDS offense, 2nd degree (3 counts).
9. John Hanriot, age 42, Somerville, NJ – Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (marijuana) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (cocaine); and Second Degree Possession of a Firearm in the course of Committing a CDS offense (2 counts).
10. Gabriel Rodriguez, age 41, Branchburg, NJ – First Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute (4 counts); and Second Degree Promoting or Facilitating the Sale of CDS.
The following individuals were arrested on March 2, 2022 for Conspiracy and Attempt to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance:
1. Robert Carlson, age 53, Bridgewater, NJ
2. Nicole Jackson, age 42, Bridgewater, NJ
3. Doreen Johnson, age 59, South Bound Brook, NJ
4. James Lopez, age 42, Hillsborough, NJ
5. Jessie Lopez, age 40, Bound Brook, NJ
6. James Matthews, age 48, Somerset, NJ
7. Robert McCarter, age 61, Hillsborough, NJ
8. Shawn Packard, age 49, Belvidere, NJ
9. Michael Piomelli, age 56, Somerset, NJ
10. James Simoncelli, age 58, South Bound Brook, NJ
11. Elizabeth Wooden, age 54, Piscataway, NJ
12. Paula Zapata, age 56, Somerset, NJ
The following individuals were charged with Conspiracy and Attempt to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance but have not yet been arrested:
1. Robert Dolan Sr., age 70, Bridgewater, NJ
2. John Kevin Hale, age 49, South Bound Brook, NJ
Acting Prosecutor Chirichella stated that as a result of this comprehensive investigation investigators executed twenty Superior Court Search Warrants to include the residences of defendants Jeffrey Cope, Shayne Murdock, Jermaine Lloyd, Jason Fort, David Ninson, George Hanriot, John Hanriot, and Gabriel Rodriguez, which culminated in the seizure of approximately seven hundred (700) grams of cocaine, approximately one thousand two hundred fifty seven (1,257) grams of methamphetamine, approximately thirty six (36) pounds of marijuana, approximately nine hundred fifty (950) grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) / hashish, approximately thirty two (32) grams of psilocybin mushrooms, approximately nine 9 grams of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), four (4) folds of heroin, seven (7) handguns, one (1) shotgun, eight (8) high capacity magazines, one thousand two hundred (1,200) rounds of full metal jacket ammunition, one hundred thirty (130) rounds of hollow point ammunition, and one hundred eighty three thousand thirty six dollars ($183,036.00) in U.S. currency as suspected drug saleproceeds.
The narcotics seized during this investigation have an estimated street value as follows:
1. Cocaine - $42,000.00
2. Methamphetamine - $105,560.00
3. Marijuana - $90,000.00
4. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/hashish - $19,000.00
5. Psilocybin mushrooms - $800.00
6. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) - $540.00
7. Heroin - $20.00