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Launched in January 2009, the joint investigation entitled "Operation Orange Crush" followed a multitude of illegal drug transactions consisting of large quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana that was sold primarily in Orange, East Orange and Newark.

The illegal drugs were traced to multiple level dealers operating in Orange and East Orange. During the course of the investigation, seven weapons including: an assault rifle, a sawed-off shotgun and five handguns were seized. Detectives also seized more than 1,900 glassine envelopes of heroin, 153 grams of heroin, and 41 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $31,000 and more than $13,000 in cash proceeds.

The announcement was made jointly by Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, Statewide Director of Gangs, Guns and Violent Crime Control Strategies Jose Cordero, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, East Orange Police Chief Ron Borgo, Orange Police Director John Rappaport, and Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy.

The investigation was part of the statewide anti-gang initiative spearheaded by the State Attorney General's Office in association with the Governor's Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Gang and Narcotics VIPER Unit, Orange Police Department, East Orange Police Department, Newark Police Department, Essex County Sheriff's Bureau of Narcotics, and the Hudson, Union and Morris County Prosecutor's Offices provided detectives to conduct undercover narcotics purchases.

Dow commended the members of the Essex County Partnership for their outstanding commitment and dedication to combating gangs and narcotics in Essex County.

"The objective of these takedowns is clear-cut; remove the most violent gang members from society, while restoring the quality of life in the affected neighborhoods," said Dow. "Together, we will remain relentless in our efforts to cripple these gangs through our aggressive investigations and prosecutions aimed at disrupting their command structures and the removal of their members from the streets of Essex County."

Since the inception of the Governor's Anti-Crime Plan in April 2008, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, in collaboration with its federal, state, county and local law enforcement partners, has made 228 arrests of gang and gang associates in Essex County.

Twenty-eight weapons, more than 400 rounds of ammunition, 9 kilograms of heroin, 3 kilograms of cocaine, 60 ounces of PCP, and seven vehicles have been confiscated. The street value of the total drugs seized is more than $350,000 and the total cash seized from drug proceeds is in excess of $100,000.

– NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM