Shipped drugs from Puerto Rico to Newark for distribution in South Jersey city

28 people have been indicted by a state grand jury on charges of first-degree racketeering in connection with a drug distribution network that distributed cocaine and heroin in the Camden area, state Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced Tuesday.

The 38-count indictment charges Luis Burgos, 33, of Camden, who allegedly was a major cocaine supplier and leader within the network, with the crime of "leader of a narcotics trafficking network," a first-degree offense that carries a sentence of life in state prison, including 25 years without possibility of parole. Burgos allegedly had large quantities of cocaine transported from Puerto Rico to Newark and New York on commercial airlines for distribution in the Camden area.

The indictment charges 18 of the accused with first-degree money laundering in connection with more than $500,000 in cash and assets seized in the course of the investigation, and seven others, including Burgos, are charged with counts of first-degree distribution of narcotics. The first-degree racketeering, money laundering and drug charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and the money laundering charge carries a fine of up to $500,000.

The indictment, obtained by the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, stems from a joint investigation called Operation Jumpstart conducted by the State Police, Camden County prosecutor’s office, the Gloucester County prosecutor’s office, the state Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other members of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Joint Camden Task Force.

“Through investigations such as Operation Jumpstart, we are partnering across all levels of law enforcement to combat the drug and gun trafficking that are generating violence in Camden and destroying the quality of life there,” Dow said. “In these tough economic times, this type of targeted, multi-agency effort serves to maximize our resources.”

"The abundance of evidence gathered in this joint investigation has enabled us to file first-degree racketeering charges against 28 defendants, who we allege conspired to distribute cocaine and heroin in the Camden area,” state Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said. “By diligently building this type of case, we are able to bring the full force of the law to bear against these alleged drug dealers.”

“The cooperative efforts of federal, state and local agencies led to the indictment of 28 individuals on various drugs and weapons charges,” State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes added. “I commend the State Police personnel involved in the dismantling of this criminal enterprise and the efforts of the other law enforcement personnel involved.”

Named in the indictment is Philadelphia resident Christian Serrano, 30, who allegedly supplied heroin to the ring. Serrano was arrested on July 21 when investigators seized significant quantities of heroin and cocaine at “stash houses” in Philadelphia and New Jersey which he allegedly maintained.

Reynel Delvalle, 34, of Camden, who allegedly had his own drug “set” that distributed heroin and cocaine in Camden, was charged along with five other people, including Anthony Smith, 32, of Camden, with first-degree distribution of heroin. Delvalle and Smith are charged with, among other things, selling an M-1 assault rifle and heroin to an undercover officer.

Delvalle, Smith and three other people face weapons charges in connection with a .38-caliber revolver loaded with hollow point bullets and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun which were seized by detectives when they stopped a vehicle driven by Smith on June 7, 2010 in Mount Laurel and executed a search warrant. Delvalle and the three of the accused were passengers.

Three people, Juan Alvarez-Ramirez, 25, of Audubon, his brother, Jose Alvarez-Ramirez, 34, of Collingswood, and Diana Siligato-Maya, 22, of Audubon, are charged with shipping approximately 20 pounds of marijuana in July 2010 via UPS from Mexico to Philadelphia, where it was seized by DEA agents.

The indictment was handed up to state Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg in Trenton, who assigned the case to Camden County.