PATERSON – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced last week the arrest of the alleged ringleader and 14 other defendants in the takedown of a major narcotics supply network that allegedly was distributing millions of dollars in heroin out of a number of heroin processing “mills” and stash houses in Paterson. Arrest warrants are outstanding for two other defendants who remain fugitives.
The arrests stem from “Operation Dismayed,” a six-month investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs and Organized Crime Bureau, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and DEA New York Division. The New Jersey State Police and DEA New Jersey Division assisted.
On Nov. 13 and 14, a multi-agency force, led by the Division of Criminal Justice, was deployed in Paterson and Prospect Park to arrest the alleged drug suppliers and raid their heroin processing and stash houses. Detectives searched 10 residences and one vehicle in the investigation, seizing three kilos of bulk heroin, another kilo of heroin packaged in thousands of glassine envelopes for individual sale, and about $255,000 in cash. The bulk heroin has a wholesale value of more than $300,000, and could have sold for in excess of $1 million once cut and individually packaged for sale on the street. The drug network is believed to have supplied multiple kilos of heroin per week to other suppliers and large-scale dealers. They did not generally sell to street-level dealers. The ring allegedly distributed heroin to dealers in northern New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
The ring’s alleged leader, Segundo Garcia, 36, of Prospect Park, was charged with leading a narcotics trafficking network, a first-degree crime that carries a sentence of life in prison, including 25 years without parole. He was also charged with first-degree distribution of heroin, first-degree possession with intent to distribute, and second-degree conspiracy. All other defendants were charged with first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute or second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin.
“This was a true multi-agency operation,” said Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik. “I commend the Attorney General for the coordination his office provided in making these arrests possible. I feel strongly that the only way to truly reduce narcotics trafficking and street crime is by arresting the individuals involved in creating and implementing the distribution network. This operation will certainly go a long way in reducing drug trafficking in Passaic County.”
Big bust
Investigators seized 1.5 kilos of heroin, a kilo of cocaine, and packaging materials and equipment from an alleged heroin mill located on the first floor of 447 East 21 St. in Paterson. The cocaine has a street value of approximately $35,000. They seized an additional 1.5 kilos of heroin and $220,000 in cash from a second mill located on the first floor of 246 Maryland Ave. in Paterson. Workers clad in aprons and surgical masks allegedly worked at these and other locations to cut, process and package heroin for the network.
Garcia, a Dominican national, served more than five years in federal prison for drug dealing beginning in 2000. He was subsequently deported by federal immigration authorities, but re-entered the U.S. illegally and allegedly established his large-scale heroin distribution network in Paterson. A second man, Wilfredo “Willie” Morel, 39, of Paterson, allegedly worked with Garcia to obtain large quantities of heroin and also exercised independent leadership control over other members of the supply network. He was charged with second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin.
The others arrested include:
Carlos Gomez, 35, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2nd degree).
Malcolm “Gorilla” Hayes, 44, of Paterson. Distribution of Heroin, Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1 degree), and Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2 degree).
Rigoberto Perez, 33, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2nd degree).
Alvin Alba, 24, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2nd degree).
Braulio Minaya, 27, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2nd degree).
Wendy Taveraz, 30, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2nd degree).
Christopher Lee Cox, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1st degree).
Franchot J. Keeling, 40, of Paterson, Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1st degree).
Cox and Keeling were arrested on Oct. 11 on Route 80 when investigators stopped the Dodge Caravan in which they were traveling. Execution of a search warrant revealed 425 bricks of heroin in the van. Another 65 bricks of heroin were seized last week in a search of Minaya’s house on Danforth Ave..
Manuel Almonte, 44, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2 degree). *Almonte is a fugitive being sought on a warrant.
Leonardo “Flaco” Flores, 53, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2 degree).
Francisco Hidalgo, 56, of Paterson. Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin (2 degree). *Hidalgo is a fugitive being sought on a warrant.
Randolph Breton, 34, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1 degree).
Abraham Diaz, 44, of New York City. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1 degree).
Robin Vargas, 19, of Paterson. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1 degree).
Bienvenido Rodriguez, 40, of New York City. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute (1 degree).
Almonte and Flores are taxi drivers who allegedly transported members of the network and heroin to and from the various locations used by the criminal enterprise.
The arrested are in the Passaic County Jail. Bail for Garcia was set at $350,000 cash, with a bail source hearing required. Cash bails were set for the other defendants ranging from $125,000 to $250,000, with bail source hearings required in every case.
The complaints that were filed are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The charges will be presented to a grand jury for potential indictment.
The charge of first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.