Sixteen people were charged and nine arrested — most with connections to the Latin Kings street gang — for their roles in an alleged drug dealing organization in Union and Essex County, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday.
Jaquan Beard, 25, Joseph Feliciano, 40, Carlos Lopez, 50, George Lopez, 49, Tyree Malone, 36, and David Quinones, 29, of Newark; Wilberto Cotto, 41, Reinaldo Cruz, 44, Steven Garcia, 48, Adolphus Hunter, 48, Jermaine Jones, 37, and Nelson Valentin, 37, of Elizabeth; Joel Hernandez, 28, of Parlin; Jonathan Arce, 36, of Belleville; and Jose Correa, 53, of Yardley, Pennsylvania were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin.
Lopez was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, and with intent to distribute and weapons offenses.
Reynaldo Cruz, 27, of Elizabeth was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.
Cruz, Feliciano, Hernandez, and Quinones are accused by authorities of distributing controlled substances on behalf of the larger drug trafficking organization around Essex and Union counties to other members of the organization from several different locations.
Beard, Correa, Cotto, Garcia, Hunter, Jones, Carlos Lopez, Malone, and Valentin would allegedly collect the narcotics, often from one of these locations, and then sell them, authorities said.
Arce, authorities allege, supplied the controlled substances while Lopez provided advice and connections from jail and was paid for this information.
Authorities said that many of the defendants are members or associates of the Latin Kings and are known to carry firearms. The organization was alleged by officials to have distributed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, five kilograms of cocaine, 40 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of heroin.
Attorneys for the defendants were not able to be reached Friday night.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
