Pubdate: Wed, 07 Sep 2005
Source: Trentonian, The (NJ)
Copyright: 2005 The Trentonian
Contact:  http://www.trentonian.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1006
Author: Artemis Coughlan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

BREAKING THE GANG'S WEB

TRENTON -- City, county, state and federal authorities came down hard on 
local members of the Bloods gang yesterday, attempting to cripple the 
hoods' large-scale, multi-million dollar cocaine operation that reached all 
the way from Trenton to a Mexican drug cartel.

Sixteen violent and high-ranking members of the Bloods were arrested in 
recent days on state and federal charges, said N.J. Attorney General Peter 
C. Harvey.

For the past six months, investigators made undercover purchases and pieced 
together the illegal drug network under Harvey's "Gangs, Guns and Drugs" 
initiative called "Operation Capital City."

Yesterday, Harvey and Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy 
joined other crime fighters to outline some of the gang's operations at a 
Hughes Justice Center press conference.

"We're dealing with some very dangerous individuals," McKoy said.

"We're going to stand fast and hold our ground. This is not the end. We 
must be vigilant on those who are taking over our neighborhoods and 
intimidating our citizens."

The extensive investigation included forces from the Trenton Police Dept., 
the Mercer County Prosecutor's office, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency 
and other organizations.

Officials also enlisted the help of aerial and ground troops from the New 
Jersey National Guard to aid in the investigation.

Of those arrested, three are considered by authorities to be the leaders of 
the alleged drug distribution network.

The three were charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and 
distribution of a controlled substance.

The first, Omar Aikens, 25, of Oak Lane, Trenton, was identified by 
authorities as Trenton's largest cocaine distributor and the area leader of 
the "Sex, Money, Murder" faction of the Bloods gang.

He was arrested on federal drug charges and is being held without bail 
under federal custody.

The second top arrest was Bernard Green, aka Petey Black, 23, of Old Rose 
Street, Trenton. He is reputed to be the area leader of the "Gangster 
Killer Bloods" faction of the gang.

Green was previously arrested and charged with attempted homicide in 
connection with a gang-related shooting in Trenton on Aug. 28.

In addition, while Green was in custody, he allegedly threatened a Trenton 
police officer, Detective Luddie Austin, according to earlier reports.

Jerome Roberts, 35, of Chestnut Street, Trenton, was the third alleged 
leader to be arrested. He was charged with drug distribution and 
racketeering charges.

Thirteen more alleged gang members were arrested in raids.

Five others, including two already in custody on unrelated charges and 
three who are fugitives, also were charged with drug offenses as result of 
the operation. While not included on the list of the top 16 suspects, they 
have been charged with conspiracy and racketeering.

"Through this concerted multi-agency operation, we have arrested the 
reputed leader and key members of Trenton's largest powder cocaine 
distribution network, a network linked to the Bloods street gang," Harvey said.

"Gang violence is turning our communities into firing ranges, as we saw 
here in Trenton on August 28, when gang-related shootings claimed the lives 
of two people, including a young woman struck be a stray bullet while 
sitting on her porch. By taking the leadership of these gangs, we are 
hoping to make the streets of this city safer for everyone."

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized cocaine with a street value 
of almost $1 million, more than $285,000 in cash and bank accounts, 
$200,000 in jewelry, seven vehicles and numerous weapons, including a 
.45-caliber submachine gun, a 9 mm Intratec TEC 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, 
two shotguns, two rifles, and seven handguns.

"As a county law enforcement community, Mercer is committed to making our 
streets safe for law-abiding citizens and their families," said Mercer 
County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini.

"I urge citizens to report gang activity because only in a true law 
enforcement and community partnership can we be successful."

To report gang activity, call 1-866-TIPS-4-CJ or log onto www.njdcj.org.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman