FREEHOLD, NJ — A comprehensive eight-month narcotics investigation spearheaded by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office culminated in the arrest of 17 individuals and the seizure of drugs worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, as announced by Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago on Monday.
The operation unearthed a network of drug distribution that spanned from Somerset to Passaic County, with Yusef A. Kearney, 48, of North Plainfield and Gerson G. Villeda Fajardo, 47, of Paterson identified as key players. Kearney was apprehended in Asbury Park last Friday, found in possession of about 300 grams of cocaine.
Further searches last month in Paterson led to the discovery of a fentanyl mill operated by Pedro Torres-Rivera and Manuel Dejesus-Polanco, both 54. They were caught actively packaging drugs while donning surgical masks. Their operations have been dismantled, leading to significant narcotics charges against them.
Additional arrests include Kaileem S. Davis of Tinton Falls and Tyking Pugh of Ocean Township, both implicated in the network, with Pugh’s operations extending to Sammie Boynton of Middletown. This network further filtered narcotics throughout Monmouth County.
Detailed charges for the individuals involved include a variety of serious offenses, ranging from first-degree drug distribution to maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility. The scope of the charges reflects the severity and organizational level of the drug operations.
Execution of search warrants in Long Branch and Neptune Township last month further yielded 450 grams of fentanyl — enough to produce a lethal dose for 225,000 people — along with 325 grams of cocaine, prescription Xanax pills, 6 pounds of marijuana, and significant drug paraphernalia. Cash totaling approximately $27,350 was also seized.