Atlantic City twins' alleged drug-trafficking network leads to 14 arrests

The investigation into alleged drug-trafficking by two Atlantic City brothers led to 14 arrests this week, BreakingAC has learned.

The charges include first-degree drug distribution, conspiracy and weapons charges, with four defendants facing allegations of endangering the welfare of children due to their illegal activities.

At least one gun, along with gun parts were seized. More details are expected to be released by law enforcement next week.

Until then, court records obtained by BreakingAC give some insight into the alleged activities of Justin and Joseph Suarez.

Wiretaps on the 35-year-old twins were at the center of the investigation, according to affidavits in the case.

"The Suarez brothers oversaw an open air drug market which distributed cocaine, heroin and fentanyl on and near South Florida Avenue in Atlantic City," Detective Christopher Dodson wrote in one affidavit.

Thousands of heroin/fentanyl packets labeled "Bad Bunny" were also recovered in the raids, the affidavit states. That stamp has been linked to several overdose deaths in the county.

James DiMeo, Howard Cubbage, Safiyah Hauser, Arcadia Riley, Keith Potter, Maurice Braxton, Lydia Santana, Terrea Acosta and Briana Perez allegedly conspired with the brothers in distributing heroin, fentanyl and cocaine throughout the county.

Rochelle Brooks, Kimberly Holmes and William DiMatties were also charged in the case. Only DiMatties who faces a possession charge is not listed in the jail. It was not clear why. He also has an outstanding warrant on theft and other charges out of Egg Harbor Township, court records show.

Ridley, Cubbage, Holmes and Brooks face child endangerment charges in the case.

When Ridley was arrested Monday at her home in Absecon's The Landings, about 15,000 bags of heroin/fentanyl and a handgun were in a suitcase on the floor of her bedroom closet, within reach of her 5-year-old daughter, the affidavit claims.

In addition to home searches, at least one arrest was made as part of a motor vehicle stop, and at least one from a pedestrian stop, according to the affidavits.

Justin Suarez was arrested in a smaller drug raid in December 2020. One of his current co-defendants, Potter, was one of four others also charged in that case.

Those charges are still pending. A 2017 drug case ended with Suarez in Recovery Court, records show.

Joseph Suarez was released from prison Feb. 10, 2021, after serving a five-year sentence in a stabbing that wounded a man at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

PICTURED ABOVE: Joseph Suarez's Department of Corrections mugshot

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