United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 15:22

Twenty-Nine Members and Associates of Jersey City Drug Trafficking Organization Arrested with Narcotics and Firearm Offenses

NEWARK, N.J. - Twenty-nine members and associates of a Jersey City-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) were arrested this week with fentanyl and cocaine trafficking and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

This week's charges are the result of a long-term wiretap investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office (HCPO); Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); the New Jersey State Police; and the Jersey City Police Department. The charges-against 31 individuals-include conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl and cocaine; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. (See chart below).

Twenty-nine defendants have been arrested in this operation so far. Twenty-six of the arrested defendants had their initial court appearances yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judges Jessica S. Allen and Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. Three additional defendants had their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen.

"These defendants operated a large-scale drug trafficking enterprise that distributed massive quantities of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl and cocaine. That ended this week. Through the incredible, collaborative work of our federal, state, and local partners, we arrested 29 of these purveyors of poison, seized kilogram quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and took numerous firearms off the street. We will continue to work tirelessly to accomplish our mission - protect the people of New Jersey, drive down violent crime, and shut the flow of dangerous drugs into this District."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

"Homeland Security Investigations Newark remains steadfast in its commitment to protect New Jersey communities from the threat of criminal organizations trafficking deadly drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl," said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. "Through the Homeland Security Task Force framework, and in close partnership with our federal, state, and local counterparts, we are sharing intelligence and resources, identifying regional distributors and suppliers, and dismantling violent gangs linked to transnational criminal networks. Today's operation marks a decisive step forward in our ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illicit opioids, secure our borders, and confront the fentanyl crisis that endangers lives across our state. New Jersey is safer as a result of these actions, and HSI Newark will continue to pursue those who threaten our communities with relentless determination."

"These arrests send a clear message that ATF, alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners will not tolerate the dangerous combination of drug trafficking and firearms. This case exemplifies our dedication to dismantling criminal enterprises that threaten the safety of our communities and the lives of our citizens," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection's New York Field Office is proud to have contributed to this operation alongside our federal, state, and local partners," said New York Director of Field Operations Frank Russo. "More than 70 CBP officers, including SRT warrant entry teams, brought critical expertise to this effort, while CBP's Air and Marine Operations provided essential aerial support. The arrest of dozens of suspected gang members and associates, along with the seizure of firearms, narcotics, and illicit proceeds reflects the professionalism and dedication of the task force teams. We remain committed to protecting our communities and disrupting violent criminal organizations."

"This outcome is the direct result of law enforcement at all levels, including the U.S. Attorney's Office, HSI, and ATF, working together to make neighborhoods safer. I commend the members of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics and Gang Task Force for their professionalism throughout this investigation, and thank all of our law enforcement partners who made this operation a success," said Prosecutor Wayne Mello of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

"This takedown sends a clear and unmistakable message: drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our communities. This operation is the result of seamless coordination among federal, state, county, and local law enforcement-standing united against those who profit from poisoning our streets," said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "These dangerous drugs destroy lives, fuel violence, and erode the safety of our neighborhoods. This operation strikes at the heart of that threat, but our work is far from over. We will relentlessly pursue, dismantle, and hold accountable those who endanger our communities, with unwavering resolve and an unyielding commitment to public safety."

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

The defendants are members and associates of a Jersey City-based drug trafficking organization that operated and distributed narcotics in the areas of Mrytle Avenue and Mallory Avenue in Jersey City and elsewhere. During the investigation, law enforcement obtained multiple court orders authorizing the interception of wire and electronic communications occurring over multiple cell phones used for the drug trafficking organization's activities. Law enforcement also used other investigative techniques including controlled drug purchases using confidential sources, mobile and fixed surveillance, and phone record analysis.

The investigation revealed that the DTO distributes large quantities of suspected fentanyl and cocaine. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted more than a dozen controlled drug buys, including substances that tested positive for fentanyl, from various members of the organization. On April 22, 2026, law enforcement executed dozens of search warrants for premises, vehicles, and other locations and seized more than approximately 15 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, three kilograms of suspected cocaine, a kilogram press, nineteen firearms, high-capacity magazines, a bulletproof vest, and more than $160,000 in cash. Two additional firearms were seized earlier in the investigation.

The count charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute carries a maximum potential penalty of 40 years' imprisonment, a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $5 million. The counts charging possession with intent to distribute each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The counts charging possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon carry a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents and task force officers with HSI, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy; special agents with ATF, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka; the HCPO, under the direction of Prosecutor Wayne Mello; special agents of the IRS-CI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; the Jersey City Police Department, led by Chief of Police Robert J. Kearns; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Acting Superintendent Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Jeanne Hengemuhle; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Port Director TenaVel Thomas, with the investigation leading to the charges in this case.

This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, the Hudson County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.

This investigation is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maloy with the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark, with invaluable assistance from Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Assistant Prosecutor Erica Bertuzzi.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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DEFENDANTS

Defendant Name Charges Potential Penalties Defense Counsel
JAMAAR MCGEACHY, a/k/a "Mooky" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Aidan O'Connor, Esq.
JOHNEL DUNLAP, a/k/a, "Supreme" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Michael T. Simon, Esq.
ALBERT CLAWSON, a/k/a, "Pop" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Laurie M. Fierro, Esq.
ROBERT SAWH 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years John Azzarello, Esq.
NAKIA WIGGINS 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Stacy Biancamano, Esq.
KION AMAKER, a/k/a, "Scooby" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Maximillian A. Novel, Esq.
KENNETH HAYWARD, a/k/a, "Cutty" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years TBD
JIMMY LEE COOPER, a/k/a "Flip" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Pasquale Giannetta, Esq.
CHRISTOPHER DANGELO, JR. 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Joseph Amsel, Esq.
SHANE IRBY 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Adrien Moncur, Esq.
RAHEAN BROWN, a/k/a, "Rah Rah" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years TBD
SHAON GRIFFIN 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Charles Alvarez, Esq.
DURAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a, "D Nice" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years David E. Schafer, Esq.
OMAR SISAY 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Michael Pappa, Esq.
HENRY BEATO 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Roberto Espinosa, Esq.
KEVIN HAMPTON, a/k/a, "CB" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Jacqueline E. Cistaro, Esq.
DWIGHT MCGEACHY 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Julian Wilsey, Esq.
BRUCE TAYLOR 21 U.S.C. § 846, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years; up to 15 years Linda Foster, Esq.
JAMAHL DANIELS 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Charles McKenna, Esq.
THOMAS NESMITH 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Ernesto Cerimele, Esq.
YUSEF GREENE 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Alyssa A. Cimino, Esq.
IKECHI ANAELE, a/k/a "Ike" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Bruce A. Levy, Esq.
RASHONDA RIVERS 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Laura K. Gasiorowski, Esq.
SEQUANNA RIVERS 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Joel Silberman, Esq.
RAMERE PARKER, a/k/a "Parks" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Michael Rubas, Esq.
ABDUL RAMSEY 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Kathleen Theurer, Esq.
JEREMY POWELL, a/k/a "O Dog" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years William Strazza, Esq.
KASIB JOHNSON, a/k/a "Peso" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Kevin A. Buchan, Esq.
BASHIR ALLEN, a/k/a "Barshir Allen" 21 U.S.C. § 846 5 year mandatory minimum, up to 40 years Perry Primavera, Esq.
SHAYNE LOVE 21 U.S.C. § 841 Up to 20 years TBD
MANEL SMITH 21 U.S.C. § 841, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) Up to 20 years; up to 15 years TBD
RASHID SALEEM 21 U.S.C. § 841, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) Up to 20 years; up to 15 years TBD
United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 23, 2026 at 21:23 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]