During the law enforcement initiative, members of the VIPER Unit and the Orange Police Department confiscated 143 bags of crack cocaine, three ounces of marijuana, and 50 bags of heroin along with $1,300 in cash. There were 21 active warrants on the 18 individuals who lived in Orange, West Orange, Newark, Sparta, Belleville and New York.

“My office will continue to work hand-in-hand with all our law enforcement partners to prevent the sale of narcotics on the streets of Essex County,’’ said Prosecutor Laurino who commended officers in his office and the Orange Police Department for their outstanding work.

Those arrested include: Oscar Peteri, 26, of West Orange; Dennis Langley, 23, of West Orange; Derrick Cottle, 18, of East Orange; Ricky Mattos, 29, of Orange; James Crisci, 27, of Sparta; Christopher Ferraro, 28, of Monroe, N.Y.; Rashon Cyburn, 23, of Belleville; Joseph Miguerson, 22, of Orange; Sharif Muhammad, 31, of Irvington; Nathaniel Smith, 39, of East Orange; Antonio Querques, 22, of Orange; Jarvis Davis, 22, of East Orange; Dion Elliott, 18, of East Orange; Robert Mozell, 22, of Orange and Wilmar Larose, 19, of East Orange.

Not withstanding the charges, every defendant is presumed innocent unless he pleads guilty or is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.