30 Charged in Connection With Newark, NJ Drug Trafficking Group

30 people have been charged for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization that sold large amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Newark.

17 people were arrested on Wednesday, seven were already in custody on state charges, one person was already in federal custody, and four remain at large.

Location and Scope of the Operation

Federal authorities said the group operated an open-air narcotics market in and around the area of Kretchmer Homes, a public housing complex along the 900 block of Frelinghuysen Avenue in New Jersey's largest city and many are members of a local street gang, comprised largely of members and associates of the Bloods street gang.

Kretchmer Homes in Newark NJ - Photo: Google Maps

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An investigation revealed that the organization allegedly distributed large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine base in that public housing complex, and they used "multiple firearms" to protect their drug supply and proceeds.

If convicted, all but three of those charged potentially face up to life in prison.

List of Defendants

33-year-old Noah Anderson
42-year-old Nathaniel Broadnax
35-year-old Latisha Coleman,
23-year-old Edwin Cooper
34-year-old Farard Hall
30-year-old Alquawi Hargrove
31-year-old Ali Harris
34-year-old Dawan Harrison
36-year-old Jaquay Harrison
40-year-old Bernard Hoover
21-year-old Khyair Jenkins
60-year-old Ajamu Kalonji
44-year-old Nigel Latimore
31-year-old Shaquan Leaks
28-year-old Anthony Levett
31-year-old Isaish Massebburg
38-year-old Tauheed McClean
28-year-old Raheem Morgan
35-year-old Lamar Shell
34-year-old Jamar Smith
32-year-old Jamaal Swinton
28-year-old Kaidean Traynmam
41-year-old Radee Tutler
47-year-old Timothy Woody
47-year-old Mario Wright
28-year-old Najee Travis
24-year-old Nyerie Reed
32-year-old Dashawn Martin
25-year-old Divine Kennedy
29-year-old Tysone Overstreet

Officials did not indicate which four people are still wanted.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a press release,

This was a sweeping and surgical strike against a violent drug trafficking network that terrorized an elderly community with poison and fear. The scale of this takedown sends a loud and clear message: we will not allow gangs to hold neighborhoods hostage.

21 Arrested With Outstanding Warrants in Newark, NJ

Unrelated to that investigation, the Newark Department of Public Safety recently announced that 21 people with outstanding warrants were arrested in May.

21 People with Outstanding Warrants Arrested in Newark NJ - Photo: Newark NJ Dept of Public Safety / Canva