Nearly two dozen people have been charged in a heroin-trafficking ring out of Atlantic City, allegedly led by a former local basketball star.
Nineteen people were arrested Thursday in the ring tied to heroin brands that have led to 48 deaths and 84 non-fatal overdoses since Jan. 1, 2017, according to officials.
Another defendant, Quadir Stanley, already was in the Atlantic County jail in a separate shooting.
Khalif Toombs, a former point guard for the South Carolina State Bull Dogs who coached Atlantic City youth, is accused of operating a massive drug distribution ring that used stash houses throughout Atlantic City and numerous couriers to distribute the heroin.
Wiretaps found that Toombs and his associates coordinated their efforts using phone calls, text messages and social media.
Toombs’ supplier was in Paterson, where associates from Atlantic City would make frequent trips to replenish the supply.
"The dismantling of an organization that has brought sorrow and anguish to so many families through the distribution of deadly narcotics is a win for the community,” Atlantic City Police Chief Henry White said. “Together, with our federal, state and local partners, we have showed those that wish to invade and flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs that it will not be tolerated. We will continue to fight on behalf of the men, women and children of our respective communities."
All 22 have been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin.
The 19 taken into custody Thursday are expected to appear in Camden federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio.
They include alleged leader Toombs' 63-year-old father, Wilbert Toombs.
Blaine Dorsey, 54, of Atlantic City, and Thomas Randall, 25, of Mays Landing, are wanted.
“The defendants charged today have been flooding the streets of Atlantic City and surrounding towns with heroin, often with tragic results,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. “Numerous deaths and overdoses have been linked to the ‘brands’ pushed by these drug traffickers. With our law enforcement partners, we are working to get these drugs, and the organizations that distribute them, off the streets of Atlantic City.”
Through the course of the investigation, the FBI determined that Toombs and his associates were distributing multiple “stamps,” or brands, of heroin, including “AK-47,” “Apple,” “Fortnite,” “Rolex,” “Frank Lucas,” “Bentley,” “Pandora,” and “9 ½.” Between Jan. 1, 2017, and June 21, 2019, drugs with these stamps have accounted for 48 deaths and 84 non-fatal overdoses in New Jersey, according to the N.J. State Police Office of Drug Monitoring and Analysis.
All are charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.
The defendants also include Dean Johnson, 39; Mayda Hernandez, 50; James Blackwell, 54; Wayne Burnside, 28; Philip Surace, 32; Valarie Lamar, 59; Karon Carey, 35; Tieyesha Tucker, 25; Jamaal Marshall, 32, and Terryn Kelsey, 29, all of Atlantic City. David Ramirez, 23; Khalif Davis, 33, and Jeremy Carll, 47, of Mays Landing.
Joseph Aversa, 37, of Ventnor; Sarah Taliaferro, 26, of Brigantine; Nasir Brown, 26, of Somers Point, and Tyjuan Demarest, 39, of Elmwood Park.
“From international terrorists to street level drug dealers, the FBI is committed to keeping you safe,” FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. “Today's operation should serve as a warning to those thinking of filling the void created by the arrests - we aren’t finished. Our agents are dedicated and persistent. We will continue our efforts to free the community of deadly drugs and drug dealers. We will continue on our mission to protect the public.”
The count carries a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Safe Streets South Jersey Violent Incident and Gang Task Force, Atlantic City Resident Agency, and FBI, Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie; officers of the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief White; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon Tyner; the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Scheffler; and the Pleasantville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Sean Riggin, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the N.J. State Police for their assistance.
