Trenton drug bust nets $8,000 worth of heroin. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel Mendell's office announced the bust Wednesday, saying the ring was based . At a later date, Minier-Tejada and Kleffman will appear in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell. MAINE, Maine Drug charges have been filed against 21 people accused of running a cocaine and fentanyl ring that spanned Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, and Puerto Rico. Police arrested Golden on a charge of Class A aggravated trafficking in heroin. Without a machine gun being involved, Kleffman faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the gun possession conspiracy charge. 2023 NEWS CENTER Maine. More fentanyl was located in the room along with approximately $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds. Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. We are grateful to those who already participate. of Public Safety). Shelby Kleffman of Trenton, Maine. After retrieving the package, Abner entered the Mercedes Benz Stroman had arrived in, and the two men departed the area. Two people were . If you are not a supporter, please consider becoming one today. Bail was set at $2,500 cash by a bail commissioner.. Published: Aug. 17, 2020 at 6:15 PM PDT. When detectives attempted to stop Kaite, he collided with a police vehicle causing heavy damage to both vehicles. Most were arrested on a charge of conspiracy to sell methamphetamine. Detained at the Mercer County Correction Center. 02/04/2010 Suspected Meth Lab raided. This investigation makes clear the violence associated with drug trafficking, said Susan A. Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations New Jersey Division. Videos on phones seized by the FBI from alleged conspirators in the drug ring show Minier-Tejada and other unnamed participants discharging weapons in the woods during a trip to Maine, according to federal officials. On November 4, 2020, search warrants were executed and arrests were made as this investigation progressed. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The MDEA said the group is believed to be responsible for the distribution of large amounts of drugs throughout Hancock and Penobscot Counties. Download here. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Official websites use .gov The remaining 11 suspects were charged with violating local ordinances and were released pending court. Michigan State Police Seize 12 Lbs. As described in the charging documents, Minier-Tejada and Minier brought large quantities of controlled substances, including distinctive purple fentanyl, to sell to dealers in Maine who would in-turn resell the controlled substances for higher profits in Maine. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, the Drug Enforcement . Illinois man nabbed with $300K in drugs in Trenton bust. Over a span of five days, Kleffman is accused of making three trips to the Bangor property from her home in Trenton to conduct drug transactions with the group, according to court documents. The heroin is valued at $60,000; the methamphetamine is valued at $100,000; and the marijuana at $68,000. Earlier this month, the two Massachusetts men and others suspected to be involved in the drug ring rented a house in Bangor through an online vacation home rental service and used it as a place . Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. Officers seized a "large quantity" of analogue drugs, similar to Xanax and Adderall, some of which were suspected to contain fentanyl, police said. 25 Charged in Takedown of Trenton Drug Trafficking Ring - State Police seize guns and over $300,000 worth of drugs in "Operation Maple Empire" . Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Sarah Hoefle of Mendells Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case. Further investigation revealed that the apartment was being rented to suspected drug traffickers from the Detroit, Michigan area, according to Arno. As a result of this cooperative investigation, the following arrests were made with the listed charges: Ricardo Moise, 31, Bristol, Pa. Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Deshawn Abner, 31, Trenton Numerous narcotic- and weapons-related offenses, Daishawn Dickerson, 30, Trenton Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Aziz Stroman, 31, Trenton Numerous narcotic- and weapons-related offenses, Kashawn Batts, 33, Trenton Numerous weapons-related offenses, Jaquane Leonard, 32, Trenton Numerous weapons-related offenses, Joseph Kaite, 19, Trenton Homicide, numerous narcotic and weapons offenses, Tabika Hale, 26, Trenton Homicide and weapons offenses, Aniyah Boone, 20, Bensalem, Pa. Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Casimer Phillips, 22, Newtonville Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Kevonte Bivens, 23, Montgomery, Alabama Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Aleque Williams-Dixon, 21, Blackwood Numerous narcotic-related offenses, Prince Attoh, 20, Trenton Numerous narcotic-related offenses. Have a question about Government Services? Police say the street value of the drugs is about $9,000. The charges were elevated to the most serious class due to the quantity of drugs seized, along with the presence of firearms, according to Arno. Updated: 7:54 PM EST December 16, 2021. Charges are mere accusations, and the suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com. Will Operate Only Electric Buses Around Town, Happy Summer Trails: Best Places To Hike Or Bike Around Princeton, Great Animal Shelters Around Princeton: Adopt, Volunteer Or Donate, Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense, Possession of handgun for unlawful purpose, Possession of heroin with intent to distribute, Possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The social media links provided are for reference only. Thanks to our readers and especially our supporters who help to keep PenBayPilot.com an open and accessible community hub. Have a correction or news tip? TRENTON Three people were arrested Friday on heroin-related charges after Maine Marine Patrol officers stopped their vehicle on Route 230 for alleged . Updated: 2:23 PM EDT July 30, 2021. This charge was aggravated due to the amount of heroin seized, McCausland said. Prior to the execution of these warrants, surveillance officers followed Deshawn Abner as he traveled by cab from Bond Street in Trenton to the Extended Stay Motel on Route 1 in West Windsor where Abner and a second individual, identified as Aziz Stroman, were observed searching a wooded area around the hotel. In an affidavit filed in federal court, the FBI alleges that Minier-Tejada and other co-conspirators from Massachusetts who are not publicly identified made trips to Maine to deliver controlled substances to Maine drug contacts and obtain firearms for transport to Massachusetts.. Belleville, ON, Canada / Quinte News. At that time, Moise was seen moving items out of his apartment on Beaver Street in Bristol Township, and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, with assistance from Bucks County District Attorneys Office and the Bristol Borough Police Department, arrested him for outstanding warrants as a result of distributing 75 bricks of heroin to an undercover officer in the spring of 2020. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"Rk5Afactr6kZBRD1RonNFLsOCxmfcSmnO5oGEjSbnCw-1800-0"}; A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors. David Foot. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. All three were still incarcerated Tuesday afternoon, according to jail officials. If you opt in above we use this information to send related content. An official website of the United States government. This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. Choose wisely! Holden police say they pulled over a car for a routine traffic stop on Sunday and discovered a gun, cash, heroin . Lock (Courtesy of FBI via BDN) TRENTON ( BDN) -- A Trenton woman arrested Friday on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges could face . It is the largest seizure of heroin to date in Maine. Operation Eight-Ball developed over six months of investigation. Jaquai Harrell, 20, of Trenton, was arrested on Jan. 6, 2022, and charged with drug offenses during a Daytime Task Force investigation in South Trenton following numerous open-air drug deal complaints. A locked padlock police said. It is not clear from court documents whether the guns described in the affidavit were obtained in Maine or somewhere else. According to Prosecutor Onofri, the initial investigation focused on the alleged drug activities of H-Block, and through informant information, controlled buys, surveillances and intelligence, authorities were able to obtain and execute more than 40 warrants of individuals, vehicles and locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. David Foot. Meanwhile, we are also engaging in community outreach like the virtual town hall we held in Trenton in June to discuss violence reduction strategies. Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox. GLEN MOORE, 47, of Whiting Township Possession of heroin . The following evidence was seized according to the police: Veronica Allende, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice commended the State Police for their operation, and said her department will continue to work with them to keep the community safe. Tradewinds sold to Hannaford, Lawrences announce retirement, Investigation leads to arrest of two women and seizure of nearly $100K in fentanyl, Deer Isle man arrested Wednesday night after Blue Hill search, Man charged after allegedly taking a truck to rescue his own, Former golf course property to be conserved. Mar 11, 2021 | 12:55 PM. The informant told police they handed Barrows the $50 and Magee handed over the bag of crack. NBC Universal, Inc. Two people were arrested in Gardiner, Maine, after DEA agents and police found $200,000 worth of cocaine in their car, including two pounds disguised as a cake. Take the Latch Electric Folding Bike Anywhere, Popular free publication that is mailed to Midcoast, Cottage Connection of Maine Vacation Rentals Since 1993, Jazz in June: Grace Kelly + Staci Griesbach, Thomaston Light Presents Serendipity Online Auction, Vintage Accents Begins Worldly Wonders Online Timed Auction, New Hope Midcoast Relies on Clothing and Accessory Donations for Its Largest Fundraiser, SAT Prep Matters & Boot Camps with Dr. Mary Smyth - Online this Spring, The University of Maine Hutchinson Center, FREE Family Film: The BFG, at The Waldo Theatre on Sunday, March. Officials declined to reveal what kind of drugs or contraband they seized and the amount of money, drugs and guns they seized. A loaded rifle was also located on a bed in the room. A drug investigation has led to the arrest of three people and the seizure of drugs from a Trenton business on Wednesday. executed two search warrants on a suspected cocaine dealer in the city of Trenton on Wednesday. All Rights Reserved. MERCER COUNTY, NJ The New Jersey State Police prevented a gang from allegedly preparing a series of retaliatory shootings after it arrested 24 suspects for various drug, weapons and other offenses. According to the FBI, Minier-Tejada and Minier often provided drugs to Kleffman up front with the understanding that she would repay them later at a pre-agreed price. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. Police say 21 pre-packaged grams of heroin and 23 grams of cocaine or cocaine base were seized, along with $1,200 in suspected drug proceeds. According to Prosecutor Onofri, the total retail value of the confiscated drugs is $228,000. AUBURN, Maine . CHECK OUT WMTW:Stay informed with the latest Portland news and weather from the team at WMTW. The investigation continued into 2021 and last week, search warrants were executed at locations in Trenton and Ewing, New Jersey, and Bristol and Morrisville, Pennsylvania. [CDATA[ ELLSWORTH Three people arrested in a July drug bust in Southwest Harbor were indicted Dec. 7 by a Hancock County grand jury.. Scott Cote, 30, Shannon Wass, 43, both of Southwest Harbor, and Torrie McIntosh-Figueroa, 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y., were among the six people arrested July 14 after agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) executed search warrants at two residences on the . On this day, an undercover officer made arrangements to purchase a quantity of heroin from Joseph Kaite. ST. ALBANS, Maine (WABI) - Four people are facing charges after a drug bust in St. Albans. Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather. A Bayonne couple and another city man have been arrested and nearly three kilograms of . Plow truck drivers prepare for Maine's third snowstorm of the week, Maine Wardens searching for missing Greene man, Lincoln man arrested twice within 8 hours for alleged assault, Portland police respond to Racial Equity Committee recommendations, Police investigating shots fired at a home in Portland. After Abner and Stroman were taken into custody, detectives contacted officers in Pennsylvania who had an individual identified as Ricardo Moise under observation. Thank you for reading. Approximately 24 bank accounts in connection to the investigation were frozen and continue to be investigated by the Mercer County Prosecutors Economic Crime Unit. Members of the conspiracy also allegedly possessed numerous firearms, including at least one fully-automatic firearm with a selector switch that converts a semi-automatic firearm into a machinegun, in order to protect the drug trafficking operation and target rival drug trafficking operators. The arrests began in December and continued Thursday. Learn more. More than 150 grams of fentanyl was seized during the search warrant with an approximate value of $25,000. Additionally, information obtained during Operation Eight-Ball directly linked Tyzir Hamilton, 19, Treizon Thompson, 20, and Darnell Davis, 19, to the murders of William Irizarry and Julius Vargas. All others were transported Mercer County Jail awaiting a bail hearing. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Kleffman was not home at the time, police have said. In March of this year, MDEA agents in Ellsworth opened an investigation into the sale of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine by people in the Ellsworth area. Larry Smith, 51, is accused of shooting two men during the alleged robbery while Sherry Smith, 49, is accused of trying to stab a third man and one of the men who was shot. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. //]]> 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Thirteen people have been arrested on drug charges in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts after multiple agencies conducted a months-long drug trafficking investigation. Follow the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office online atTwitter, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.