A Bloomfield New Jersey man is on his way to prison now that he has pleaded guilty to heroin distribution charges in connection with a major drug ring operating out of Newark, NJ.
The suspect, who is from Bloomfield NJ, was arrested last year after federal authorities determined that he was part of a drug trafficking network that was distributing heroin and other illegal drugs throughout Newark, New Jersey. The base of operations for the drug crime ring was reportedly an apartment building located on Johnson Avenue in Newark.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation in 2015 and eventually executed arrest warrants for 15 people who allegedly had roles in the drug trafficking operation. The suspect was not one of the individuals placed under arrest in November 2015. Instead, he was later placed under arrest after being identified as the main supplier for the criminal enterprise.
A search of the suspect’s personal residence in Bloomfield NJ allegedly turned up 528 bricks of heroin and 70 pounds of marijuana. Police also allegedly discovered a loaded rifle in the suspect’s home.
Federal prosecutors initially charged the suspect with numerous drug crimes, including distribution of heroin and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The suspect was also charged with a weapons offense for unlawful possession of a weapon.
At least one of the criminal charges against the suspect was a first degree felony that could have landed him behind bars for the rest of his life because he is classified as a “career offender” with a prior criminal record. The suspect eventually reached a plea deal with prosecutors and agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin. When the suspect appears in US District Court in Newark NJ next year, he will likely be sentenced to a lengthy term of incarceration in a federal penitentiary.
For more information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Man Caught with $650K of Drugs Admits Role in Trafficking Ring.”