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N.J. state corrections officer, prison cook among those grabbed

Forty people are facing charges Thursday as a result of an investigation into a drug distribution network linked to the Bloods street gang that operated in two Newark neighborhoods,'' state Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced.

The investigation, which resulted in arrests of the leaders of the ring, also uncovered smuggling of cell phones and drugs into Northern State Prison in Newark.

The charges stem from Operation Red Storm, an 18-month investigation led by the state Division of Criminal Justice, with assistance from the Boonton and Newark police the state Department, of Corrections and the State Police.

Authorities arrested 19 people Wednesday at various locations. Ten others were arrested earlier in the investigation. Another 11 people are being sought on arrest warrants or summonses.

Detectives have seized more than 250 "bricks" of heroin, over a kilogram of cocaine, more than $60,000 in cash, four semi-automatic handguns, an assault rifle, and four vehicles.

The investigation focused on a network that was distributing heroin and cocaine in two sections of Newark: the Fabyan Avenue area and the "Chadwick Corridor" including Avon and Chadwick Avenues.

The Attorney General's office said the Chadwick Corridor has been identified by the Newark police as one of the most violent districts in the city. Among those arrested are two Newark men alleged to be leaders of the network: Ameer Thompson, 28, and Cardeia "Fatboy" Harrell, 33.

The investigation also resulted in charges against a cook employed at Northern State Prison, Elijah Harris, 35, of Newark, and an inmate, Norman Willie Wade, 45, who allegedly were smuggling drugs and cell phones into the prison to sell to inmates.

"We have arrested the alleged leaders and numerous other members of a drug network linked to the Bloods, which used guns to control its turf in two particularly violent sections of Newark," Dow said. "Our goal in taking down this criminal network is to disrupt its drug trafficking activities and make these neighborhoods safer."

"This is another great example of an intelligence-led investigation involving cooperation among state and local law enforcement agencies," state Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said. "We will continue to make such investigations a priority in our efforts to combat drug trafficking and violent street gangs."

"Operation Red Storm was a first class undertaking from start to finish," said Boonton police Chief Mike Beltran. "It is an outstanding example of teamwork among law enforcement agencies large and small in engaging drug trafficking activity that affected not only Newark but suburban regions also. The Boonton Police Department was glad to participate in the success of the operation.''

Thompson was arrested Wednesday. He is charged with first-degree offenses, including leading a narcotics trafficking network, distribution of narcotics, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. The charge of leading a narcotics trafficking network carries a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

Harrell is charged with distribution of narcotics and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, both in the second degree. He was arrested on June 10 along with Aaron Watson, 33, of Newark, as they allegedly met to conduct a drug transaction.

Watson allegedly had 171 grams of cocaine and two bricks of heroin in a hidden compartment in his vehicle, along with bylaws and other documents related to the Brick City Brims set of the Bloods. He allegedly had $2,000 on his person. Harrell allegedly had $2,304 on his person, and $8,000 in a hidden compartment of his car.

A search of Watson's apartment found approximately a kilo of cocaine, 12 bricks of heroin, $40,255 in cash, a scale and narcotics packaging materials. Watson is charged with first-degree offenses of distribution of narcotics and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

Search warrants also were executed at eight other locations. Arrests made yesterday resulted in the recovery of additional drugs, three handguns, one assault rifle and $6,000 in cash.

Elijah Harris was arrested on June 11 by members of the Corrections Department Special Investigations Division and State Police. Harris is charged with bribery, official misconduct, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and providing a cell phone to a prison inmate, all second-degree offenses.

Wade is charged with second-degree conspiracy for allegedly conspiring with Harris to distribute narcotics and cell phones in the prison.

A Newark woman who is employed as a state corrections officer at Northern State Prison, Gale Bishop, 53, is charged with second-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute. The charge relates to alleged conduct that occurred outside of the prison.

The remaining defendants are charged with second- and third-degree offenses of drug distribution or possession with intent to distribute.

Dow credited Det. Louis Renshaw of the Division of Criminal Justice and Sgt. Christian Trowbridge of the Boonton police. Overseeing the daily operations of the investigation were Lt. Chuck Foley, Sgt. John Delesio, and Deputy Chief Al Buecker from the Division of Criminal Justice. The deputy attorney general assigned to this case is Philip J. Mogavero.

Because they are indictable offenses, the charges will be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.

Other than the charge of leading a narcotics trafficking network, the first-degree crimes charged carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison and a $200,000 fine. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison a $15,000 fine.

Here are the names and hometowns of the 40 accused people. Ronald Clayton of Newark, Anthony Phelps of Newark, Ameer Thompson of Newark, Wilbert Best, a Northern State inmate; Nadir Eley of Newark, Arande Major of Newark, Elijah Harris of Newark, Norman Willie Wade, a Northern State inmate; Gale Bishop of Newark, Richard Rogers of Newark, Idris Dent of Newark, Yah Y Terry of Newark, Shawn Black of Paterson, Siraaj Vickers of Tobyhanna, Pa., Louis Lisboa of Perth Amboy, Jason Lovejoy of Woodbridge, and Elijah Thorpe of Newark.

Marquise McDougal of Newark, Marquis Meggett of Newark, Shanon Wade of Newark, Qawwee McQueen of Newark, Aaron Freeman of Newark, Shakir Phelps of Newark, Todd Carter of Newark, Charles H. Smallwood of Newark, Almalik Ward of Newark, Zakee Odom of Newark, Sharod Purkett of Newark, Terek Meggett of Newark, Rose Guinyard of Newark, Cardiea Harrell of Newark, Aaron Watson of Newark, Tareek Conner of Irvington, Emmitt M. Jones of Newark, Omar Glover of Newark, Taliah Andrews of Newark, Johnetta Seagle of Newark, Angie Andrews of Newark, Jalil Shariah of Newark, and Weejah Andrews of Newark.