26 charged following dawn NJ heroin ring bust, authorities say

Twenty-four people were taken into law enforcement custody following Thursday morning narcotics raids across New Jersey, authorities say.

NEWARK -- A Thursday afternoon announcement by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray confirmed an earlier NJ Advance Media report of several narcotics raids by authorities across north and central New Jersey.

Following the raids, 24 people were taken into law enforcement custody in connection to the investigation of the Newark-based heroin distribution ring, authorities confirmed.

All 26 now face various drug-related charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession and conspiracy. Another three suspects sought by police in connection to the investigation remain at large, authorities said.

Investigators seized $8,000 in cash, two firearms and over 200 bricks of heroin after executing search and arrest warrants in Essex, Middlesex and several other counties, authorities said. The seized heroin has an estimated street value of $100,000, authorities said.

This was the second takedown of a sprawling, Newark-based heroin ring in as many months. In July, officials arrested 48 people in connection to an Essex County Narcotics Task Force investigation of a heroin ring allegedly led by members of the Bloods street gang.

The ring targeted Thursday operated in a similar fashion, supplying customers from outside of Essex County from its base near the intersection of Foster Street and Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, Murray said Thursday.

The raids began early Thursday morning, as teams of officers including New Jersey State Police SWAT teams, Essex County Prosecutor's Office officials and other county law enforcement officials executed the search and arrest warrants.

Several officers could be seen bursting through the doors of two separate Newark residences. The officers appeared to take two suspects -- one male and one female -- into custody outside an apartment residence in the 100 block of Spruce Street in Newark.

At a similar raid at a home in the 100 block of Hobson Street, authorities led a male suspect wearing handcuffs into a waiting car while neighbors looked on.

In Rahway, investigators could be seen removing bags and boxes after a team of officers entered a town home in the 400 block of Hancock Street. Hours later, authorities led a man from the home in handcuffs.

In a released statement,  Newark Mayor Ras Barakapraised the efforts of the joint-task force.

"According to the Prosecutor's Office, this ring was based in Newark, but its tentacles spread into eight other communities, oozing crime and violence across the state, destroying neighborhoods and lives," the statement read. "We will not tolerate Newark being a cesspool or a center for criminals and illegal activity."

Anthony Ambrose, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives, said the collaboration is example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement stands together.

Multiple Essex County police departments assisted in the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Morris and Monmouth County Prosecutor's Offices and NJ State Police, authorities said.

"These dealers are not operating in an insulated environment," said New Jersey State Police spokesman Lt. Brian Polite. "The drug dealers don't operate within jurisdictional lines, so we as law enforcement have to worker together."

Full list of the arrested suspects: 

• Alshariek Morgan, 33, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute, distribution, possession with intent to distribute
• Elijahwan Green, 24, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute and unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and convicted felon
• Shaquan Reeds, 21, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
• Pablo Genao, 23, of the Bronx New York: Charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute and possession.
• Alexandre Marques, 36, of Kenilworth: Conspiracy to distribute
• Joseph Molok , 36, of Union Beach: Conspiracy to distribute
• Angel Torres, 35, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
• Dong Seok, 30, of Palisades Park: Conspiracy to distribute
• Felix Perez, 45, of Perth Amboy: Conspiracy to Distribute
• Clifton Moore, 57, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
• Timothy Smith, 35, of Woodbridge: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
• Christina Naussner, 37, of Woodbridge: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
• Juan Middleton, 62, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
• Kerry Garner, 38, of Long Branch: Conspiracy to distribute, possession, possession with intent to distribute
• Ismael Bimbow, 38, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
• William Harrison, 48 of Piscataway: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
• Jacqueline Fairley, 52, of Newark: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession for unlawful purpose and possession
• Thomas Jaegel, 41, of Bedford: Conspiracy to distribute
• Raquan McKenith, 25, of Newark: Outstanding warrants
• Jay Park 28, of Palisades Park: Possession
• Gina Park, 65, of Palisades Park: Possession
• Ji Lee, 21, of Palisades Park: Possession
• The following suspects remain at large and are fugitives from justice
• Altariq McCoy, 25, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
• Khalil Simpson, 25, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.