Forty-one people are charged and more than a half-million in drugs seized in a drug-trafficking ring that was allegedly led by two Atlantic County men.
A sweep Thursday morning resulted in the arrest of 19 people, including alleged leaders Diaab Siddiq and Ameer Stephens. Twenty-two suspects are considered fugitives.
As part of the investigation, police seized more than 20,000 bags of heroin, another 12 ounces of raw, unpackaged heroin, 1.25 kilograms of cocaine and 8 ounces of suspected fentanyl.
The fentanyl is the key, Atlantic City Police Chief Henry White said, calling the drug-traffickers "merchants of death." The drug has been the cause of most overdoses.
In fact, dealers will often intentionally sell heroin they know could be fatal as a marketing tool.
Drug buyers will often seek out those brands figuring it will be a potent high, police explained.
Several of those arrested identify as part of the Head Shot gang, a minor section of the 800 Block, which is based in the city's Back Maryland section.
Two people have been killed in that neighborhood within the last few days, but Ruberton said she could not comment on any connection since those cases are under investigation.
But this group has fed the drug trade and related violence, White said.
He lauded the team work of all the agencies, and said this should be a message to those who would try to fill the voids left by previous large takedowns of drug-trafficking organizations like Dirty Blok, 800 Block and the smaller Blockstarz, which formed after some Dirty Blok associates were run out of Stanley Holmes Village.
Also seized were six guns and more than $155,000 in cash.
Siddiq, 47, of Atlantic City, and Stephens, 35, of Galloway Township, are charged with supervising or managing a drug-trafficking ring, and could face life in prison if convicted.
Siddiq — who is also known as Marshall Davis — owns the Garden of Marrakish in Atlantic City, but no drugs or guns were found in that business, First Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton said.
Siddiq's son, Marshall Coley, is already in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on charges including murder and kidnapping. He is one of four men charged in with taking Equallie Bumpass from his Pleasantville home and then killing him. It is not related to this case, White said.
The yearlong investigation involved the Prosecutor's Office, Atlantic City Task Force, Atlantic City police, FBI, State Police and most of Atlantic County's law enforcement, Ruberton said.
In addition to Siddiq and Stephens, Lamarc Cochran, 30, of Hammonton, and Arshan McGee, 27, of Atlantic City, are charged with conspiracy to commit distributing a controlled dangerous substance and distribution of more than a half-ounce of heroin. Both second-degree crimes, which carry potential sentences of five to 10 years.
The 37 others are charged with conspiracy to distribute a CDS.
Already in custody are:
Nadirah Abdul-Jabar, 30, of Galloway; Aisha Brathwaite, 34, of Egg Harbor City; Jeffrey Johnson, 39, of Mays Landing; and Robert Strong, 25, of Egg Harbor Township.
Atlantic City residents Delena Shannon, 39; Yasin Sims, 32; Andrea Stephens-Allen; Kenyetta Redd, 35; Hassan Rice, 31; Lyle Marshall, 43; Aquelah Coley, 34; and James Felton, 39.
Pleasantville residents Troy Sanchez, 40; Jamal Hall, 47, and Rashea Arrington, 37.
The following people are being sought:
Omar Baker, 39, and Tran Roots, 36, both of Bridgeton; Lewis Hargrove, 35, of Millville; Ronald Jones, 34; Lamar Iverson, 36, and James Bundy, 28, all of Salem; James Dorsey, 30, of Pittsburgh; Sara Magwood, 25, of McKeesport, Pa., and Susan Poplawski, 49, of Manahawkin.
And Atlantic City residents Charles Butler, 39; Tarik Chance, 37; Laquine Demby, 25; Dennis Faulkner, 29; Omar Fisher, 34; Anthony Gunter, 27; Nafis Hamilton, 35; Wasiym Parker, 30; Darnell Rice, 35; Kalim Selby, 31; Juan Wiggins II, 29; Ahmaad Williams, 21, and Shawn Williams, 33.
