Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that 17 individuals have been arrested and charged with possession of drugs, possession with intent to distribute and weapons offenses following a pre-dawn raid today in what the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, VIPER Unit, dubbed “Operation Buy Walk.’’
Today’s arrests are the culmination of a three-month investigation that led to arrests in the City of Orange back on Nov. 29. Including the earlier arrests in Orange, a total of 27 people have been arrested. Six others remain at-large.
In the most recent arrests, five guns and 121 rounds of ammunition were seized, including two 30-round clips used in the assault weapon.
“This operation is part of our continuing fight to curb the sale of drugs and to remove guns from the streets of Essex County,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray. “Illegal drugs fuel violence. Every time we remove an illegal weapon from the streets we believe we save lives. In this particular case not only were we able to remove handguns but also an assault weapon with the capacity to discharge 30 rounds from a single clip.’’
“This is another example of law enforcement agencies working together to make communities safer by taking drugs and dangerous weapons off the streets,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “I applaud the Essex County Prosecutors Office, the Newark Police Department, the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in combating narcotics traffic and violent crime.”
The investigation, led by the Essex County Prosecutor’s VIPER Unit, and carried out with the Newark Police Department and assistance from the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Sheriff, has been underway since Oct. 1, prompted in part by concerns raised by residents in Newark and other parts of Essex County who regularly saw drugs being sold openly. In addition to Newark, arrests were previously made in the City of Orange as part of Operation Buy Walk.
Newark Police Director Demaio said, “The Newark Police Department has routinely shared resources and intelligence with our local, county, and federal law enforcement partners with great success. Today we celebrate yet another victory in our war on guns and drugs which have wreaked havoc in communities across the nation. These arrests should send a strong message to the criminal element as well as the communities that we serve about our resolve to prevent and reduce crime and improve the quality of life for our residents.’’
Using various investigative techniques, including surveillance and undercover purchases, search warrants were executed at two locations in Newark this morning – one in the 100 block of Fabyan Place and the other in the 300 block of Mahogany Court.
Those arrested include one juvenile who will not be identified at this time. The others arrested are:
Kelly Griffin, 25, of Newark was charged with conspiracy and distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. James McQueen, 34, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Shawn L. Wallace, 30, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Chanel Barden, 21, of Newark was charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of a weapon while committing a crime and receiving stolen property. Kenneth Broadus, 23, of Irvington distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Brayonne Carney, 25, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Saqid Green, 44, of Newark was charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and possession within 1,000 feet of a school. Jamal Jones, 35 of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS. Tony McNair, 47, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Hakim McNair, Jr., 18, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Rajee Stokes, 18, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Donald Travis, 31, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS. Wajeehah Andrews, 32, of Newark was charged with possession of marijuana, possession within 1,000 feet of school. She also had an outstanding warrant from Linden. Tony Whitaker, 19, of Newark was charged with possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of s school. Awad Cureton, 20, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Effrin Bridges, 47, of Montclair was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. Jocelyn Julien, 20, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school.
All of these arrests are part of an investigation that began on Oct. 1, targeting areas of known for drug sales. Today’s arrests come on the heels of a similar arrest in Orange. On November 29, eight individuals were charged with distributing narcotics in the city of Orange. A ninth person was charged with possession of narcotics. Orange Police Director Hakim Sims said the area targeted had been of concern to the Mayor and members of the community for some time.
All of the defendants arrested are currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on bail ranging from $5,000 to $75,000.
These charges are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until they enter a guilty plea or are proven guilty in a court of law.
WEAPONS SEIZED: (1) Mossberg 12 gauge Model 500A, (1) AK47 .762 Semi auto 103028, (1) Derringer .38 cal Handgun, (1) 9MM Smith and Wesson Handgun, (1) .45 cal. Handgun
AMMUNITION SEIZED: (17) .44 cal., (37) .40 cal., (58) .762 cal., (9) 9mm.
CURRENCY SEIZED: Approx. $2853.00 US Currency
