A dozen members and associates of the “Harlem World/12th Avenue” have been charged with allegedly distributing drugs, including cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl, according to acting U.S. attorney Rachael Honig’s office.
Michael Booker, 38; Kenron Boyd, 28; Ronald Hammond, 53; Damir Horne-Casper, 28; Marcell Jackson, 26; Roger Jacobs, 25; Damond King, 31; Naquis Martin, 24; Korri Muckle, 40; Troy Taylor, 35; and Shamir Thompson, 26, all of Paterson; and Tahj Smith, 20, of Haledon, were each charged on Thursday with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base.
King, who is already in custody on state charges, is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Booker, Jackson, and Taylor remain at large as fugitives, authorities said.
Authorities said from February 2020 through April 26, 2021, members and associates of the “Harlem World/12th Avenue,” which operates around 12th Avenue and East 23rd Street, conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base.
Law enforcement agents conducted controlled buys, recorded phone calls and text messages, analyzed telephone records, and conducted physical surveillance during their investigation into the street gang.
A person is eligible to join the Harlem World/ 12th Avenue if they live within the gang’s turf and is willing to sell drugs. Members of the gang distributed heroin stamped “Coca Cola,” “Larry Bird,” “Kobe Bryant,” “Paid in Full,” “Best Buy,” and “K.O.” Since October 2020, these stamps have been linked to 10 fatal overdoses, authorities said.
The gang members and associates could face 40 years in prison if convicted.