An Egg Harbor City man who faces life in prison as the alleged leader of a drug- and gun-trafficking network will be held pending trial, a judge ruled during a detention hearing Tuesday.
Kenneth Burrell, 39, was one of
16 people arrested last week in a multi-agency investigation that led to the seizure of 21 firearms, more than 10,000 bags of heroin and fentanyl, and 10 ounces of cocaine.
Under the new bail reform, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office moved to have Burrell held.
Burrell has five open cases in the criminal courts, including a drug raid in 2015, just six months after he was released from a prison sentence that also was on drug charges. He has nine prior arrests on indictable offenses.
Detention hearings for some of Burrell's co-defendants will be held Wednesday afternoon, before Superior Court Judge John Rauh.
A detention hearing for Scott Dorn, 18, of Egg Harbor City, began Tuesday and will continue today. He is charged with six counts, including illegal transport of a firearm, possession of large-capacity magazines and conspiracy to possess a handgun for an unlawful purpose.
One co-defendant, Umar Salahuddin, was sent to prison March 10, on weapon and assault charges. He is scheduled for release Jan. 5, 2023.
Six others arrested with Burrell were released on summonses. Authorities are also awaiting the extradition of Joshua Sims, 18, who was arrested in Georgia, where Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said the investigation interrupted a gun-trafficking supply chain.
Kenneth Burrell, 39, of Egg Harbor City, allegedly led the organization, which trafficked illegal drugs and firearms in Pleasantville and Egg Harbor City.
He was arrested in another drug raid in 2015, just six months after he was released from a prison, where he served 2½ years on drug charges.
Also arrested were: Tyson Nieves, 25; Leonard Allen, 26; Brian Foster, 19; Hiram Matos-Aviles, 20; Rodney Cline Jr., 34; Catoby Collier, 40, and Dawayne Fleming, 40, all of Egg Harbor City. Timothy Davis, 19; Samuel Davis Jr., 22; and Sarah Davis, 22, all of Mullica. Tariek Mack, 27, of Galloway Township, and Isaiah Cooper, 27, of Pleasantville.
