NEWARK, NJ – Seven Newark men on Friday were charged for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs out of a residential building on Fair mount Avenue, authorities announced.
Each of the defendants, including one additional man from Hamilton and another man from East Orange, were charged with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 280 grams or more of crack from July 2020 through June 2021, according to U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger.
Three of the defendants - Kasim Thurston, of Newark, Jamar Hall, of Hamilton, and Angel Kearney, of East Orange - were charged with firearms violations for possessing firearms and ammunition while having been previously convicted of a felony offense, according to authorities. Hall and Kearney were also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, authorities said.
Thomas Gibson, Ibn Thurston, Kevin Hall, Akim Gibson, Shalamar McCall, and Hakis Moses, all of Newark, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.
Other members of the drug organization from Newark have previously entered guilty pleas, including Elijah Shumate, 50, who pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti on Jan. 13, to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Antwan Williams, 30, of Newark, pleaded guilty before Judge Martinotti on Dec. 9, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
The defendants took advantage of the residential building’s location to sell drugs from the porch area, according to authorities. The building was guarded by a locked steel door and difficult for law enforcement to infiltrate despite a constant stream of buyers approaching the front porch area day and night, according to authorities. Defendants stored drugs and guns in apartments that they controlled, authorities said.
The defendants worked in shifts from 6 a.m. until late in the evening, according to authorities. Buyers came on foot, in vehicles and on bicycles to purchase illegal drugs, authorities said. The heroin sold was of high-quality and was sold in various “brands,” which were stamped onto the glassine envelopes that contained the heroin and fentanyl, allowing buyers to identify and purchase the brands that they preferred, according to authorities. FBI surveillance and local law enforcement witnessed hundreds of narcotics transactions from July 2020 through June 2021, authorities said.
All defendants are charged with at least one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances from purchases recorded by the FBI and from drug transactions observed by local law enforcement.
The defendants were originally charged by complaint and arrested on June 29, 2021. Seven of the defendants have been detained since June. Man From East Orange Among 7 Men Charged in Drug Trafficking Scheme.
Seven Newark men on Friday were charged for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs out of a residential building on Fair mount Avenue, authorities announced.
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