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Operation ‘Bird Cage’ Results in Seizure of 19 Firearms, $98K in Cash; Elizabeth, Rahway Residents Among Several Charged

Somerset County Middlesex County Elizabeth Rahway

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced the arrests of Robert Cardinal, 40, Georgiann Cardinal (Robert’s mother), 69, both of Center Street, Dunellen, Timothy Jenkins aka: “TJ”, 47, of Hillsborough Township, Leon Blue, Jr., 52, of Dumont and Michael Wayne, aka: “Low Rider Mike”, 42, of South Bound Brook.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that above defendants were arrested following a five month long investigation regarding the distribution of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, and firearms in the Somerset/Middlesex County area.

The defendants were charged with the following offenses:

Robert Cardinal – 1st degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, 1st degree promoting organized street crime, 1st degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, 3rd degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm, 3rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Timothy Jenkins – 1st degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, 1st degree promoting organized street crime, 2nd degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, 3rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Leon Blue, Jr. – 2nd degree promoting organized street crime, 2rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Michael Wayne – Two counts of 2nd degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm, 3rd degree unlawful manufacture, transfer or sale of an assault firearm, 4th degree transfer or sale of a large capacity magazine, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Georgiann Cardinal – 2nd degree promoting organized street crime, 3rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this comprehensive investigation, investigators executed seven Superior Court Search Warrants; three in Somerset County, three in Middlesex County, and one in Bergen County. This included the residences of Robert Cardinal, Georgiann Cardinal, Timothy Jenkin, Michael Wayne and Leon Blue Jr.

Those searches culminated in the seizure of approximately 1,322 grams (over 1 kilogram) of cocaine, approximately 1,500 grams (over 1 kilogram) of methamphetamine, approximately 1 pound of marijuana, 2,010 bags of heroin, 298 Oxycodone pills, six Roxycodone pills, 48 morphine pills, 15 ecstasy pills, 247 Suboxone films, 294 unidentified pills, a hydraulic kilo-press and various other drug manufacturing equipment.

In addition, investigators located and seized approximately $98,159.00 dollars in U.S currency, 19 total firearms to include nine handguns (loaded 9mm Taurus, two 92A1 9mm Berettas, .22 cal RG Industries revolver, .44 cal Ruger revolver, .22 cal Ruger SR22P, .327 cal Ruger SP101 revolver, .22lr Smith & Wesson MP22, and 45ACP FHN FNX-45), four rifles (.22 cal Marlin, Savage rifle, .30-06 Remington Arms, and .30-30 Stevens), four shotguns (two Ithaca 12 gauges, M&R 20 gauge, and a loaded Mossberg 20 gauge), and two assault weapons ( .556/.223 AR15 platform assault rifle and 308 caliber AR10 platform assault rifle). Nine motor vehicles were also seized.

Based upon current trends, the cocaine seized has an estimated street value of $84,000, the methamphetamine seized has an estimated street value of $255,000, the heroin seized has an estimated street value of $14,070, the assorted pills have an estimated street value of $12,735 and the Suboxone films have an estimated street value of $4,940.

Furthermore the following individuals were arrested and charged with the following various offenses:

Anthony Alston, 38, of Elizabeth - 2nd degree promoting organized street crime, 3rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, and 2nd degree conspiracy.

Eric Ward, 48, of South River - 3rd degree manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and 3rd degree conspiracy.

Anthony Mastroserio, 31, of Bound Brook - 3rd degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm and 3rd degree conspiracy, 4th degree transfer or sale of a large capacity magazine and 3rd degree conspiracy.

Kelly Smith, 52, of Hillsborough – 3rd degree receiving stolen property.

The following individuals have not been arrested but arrest warrants have been filed charging them with the following offenses:

Shawn Page, 46, of New York, New York –3rd degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and 3rd degree conspiracy.

Andres Nazario, 49, of Piscataway - 3rd degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and 3rd degree conspiracy.

William Keithley, 47, of Orlando Florida (last known address) - 3rd degree unlawful transfer or sale of an assault firearm and 3rd degree conspiracy.

The following individuals were all arrested and charged with 3rd degree conspiracy and attempt to possess CDS:

Alan Lisezewski, 35, of Piscataway

Daniel O’Brien, 53, of Piscataway

George Walling Jr., 27, of Union Beach

Antonio Esposito, 55, of South Plainfield

Arthur Kamenetsky, 33, of Parlin

Mark Hall, 33, of Middlesex

Maria Saltsides, 37, of Rahway,

Gerald Sullivan, 59, of Flagtown section of Hillsborough Township

The above charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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