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Authorities dismantle Paterson-Atlantic City drug network, arrest 19, seize 16,000 heroin bags | Paterson Times

Authorities dismantle Paterson-Atlantic City drug network, arrest 19, seize 16,000 heroin bags

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A major drug network that trafficked heroin from Paterson for distribution in Atlantic County was dismantled following an eight-month investigation that led to the arrest of 19 alleged drug dealers, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Authorities said the network unloaded over 30,000 doses of heroin per month in Atlantic City and Atlantic and Ocean counties. Authorities arrested two Bergen County suppliers: Richard Michilena, 24, of Elmwood Park, and Bolivar Delacruz, 38, of Lodi.

Arrested were also three top level members of the network: Saleem Hamilton, 32, of Atlantic City; Helene Gonzalez, 37, of Pleasantville; Tarik Hopkins, 33, of Galloway, authorities said. The five alleged ring leaders are charged with first-degree heroin possession with intent to distribute and second-degree conspiracy to distribute, authorities said.

Authorities said Hamilton, arrested in Atlantic City, is the head of the network. Gonzalez and Hopkins served as his deputies. Authorities arrested the two deputies meeting with the two suppliers Michilena and Delacruz at East 33rd Street and 13th Avenue in Paterson on April 18. The meeting’s goal was to obtain more heroin for distribution in Ocean and Atlantic counties, authorities said.

Authorities seized a purse containing $23,885 that was handed to the two suppliers by Gonzalez and Hopkins during the arrest. The suppliers allegedly had 10,000 single-dose wax paper folds or bags of heroin in 200 bundles of 50 known as bricks marked “Tap Out” in purple ink inside a duffle bag. The heroin was found inside Michilina’s BMW that he drove to the meeting.

“These drug dealers were peddling addiction, misery and death in two of the counties hardest hit by the epidemic of opiate addiction,” Acting Attorney General John Hoffman said. “Through the outstanding work of the Atlantic City Task Force and its many law enforcement partners, we tracked this criminal enterprise from Atlantic City to Paterson and dismantled it completely.”

The Task Force headed by the Attorney General’s Office includes the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, State Troopers, Atlantic City Police, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasantville Police Department, and New Jersey State Parole Board.

“Nothing less than a multi-jurisdictional partnership was needed to dismantle this drug dealing network that operated in various counties throughout the state,” Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said.

Authorities said the task force recovered 16,000 bags of heroin, $52,000 in cash since April 18. Ring members allegedly sold heroin containing a deadly cutting agent called fentanyl, authorities said.

The network also utilized a juvenile to sell heroin. Ring members also conducted heroin transactions in front children, authorities said. They even took public assistance subsidies in exchange for heroin, authorities said. Gonzalez, a top network member, is charged with various drug offenses and with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree theft by deception (food stamp fraud), authorities said.

“There is no doubt that the actions of these drug dealers contributed to the downward spiral of those who are plagued by heroin addiction,” Fuentes said.

The rest of the alleged offenders are listed below with charges:

  1. Kevin Moreno, 34, Mays Landing. Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (3rd degree).
  2.  Michael Preston, 37, Atlantic City. Distribution of Heroin (2nd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 500 Feet of Public Zone (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (2nd degree).
  3. Lamont Cooper, 37, Pleasantville. Possession with Intent to Distribute Within 1,000 feet of a School (3nd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (3rd degree)
  4. Jeffrey Buchanan, 37, Elmer. Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (3rd degree).
  5. Andrew Albanese, 43, Eagleswood. Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (3rd degree).
  6. Johnathan Puggi, 37, Little Egg Harbor Township. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree).
  7. Peter Pharo, 38, Little Egg Harbor Township. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree).
  8. Samantha Pharo, 35, Little Egg Harbor Township. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree).
  9. Corey Leuffgen, 31, Little Egg Harbor Township. Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree)
  10. Chris Kulwein, 32, Little Egg Harbor Township. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree).
  11. Aimee Higman, 34, Little Egg Harbor Township. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree).
  12. Lavelle Robinson, 54, Pleasantville. Conspiracy to Possess Heroin (3rd degree)
  13. Kindra Brown, 33, Mays Landing. Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Commit the Forgoing Crimes (3rd degree).
  14. Musa Ali, 54, of Atlantic City. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (3rd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute Untaxed Cigarettes (4th degree)

A 20th suspect Travaghn Wood, 34, of Pleasantville, remains a fugitive, authorities said.

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