Nine New Jersey residents charged for roles in massive drug trafficking operation

There are nine New Jersey residents being charged for their alleged roles in a massive drug trafficking operation that netted hundreds of thousands of dollars as they spread hard narcotics on the streets.

They specifically sold heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine out of a residential building on Fairmount Avenue in Newark, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

The nine men are part of a 34-count superseding indictment charging all of them with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 280 grams or more of crack between July of 2020 and June of 2021.

All nine are also being charged with at least one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances.

The hundreds of drug deals were recorded by the FBI and local law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger said that people would be coming in and out of the porch area of the residence at all hours of the day and night on all modes of transportation and even walking to an area as well that was guarded by a locked steel door.

Investigators overcame the obstacles and learned the drugs and guns were kept in apartments the accused controlled with each of those involved working and dealing in shifts from 6:00 am until late at night.

They also learned that the dealers would separate each "brand" of high-quality heroin into glassine envelopes that also contained fentanyl.

The arrests of the nine charged took place in June with seven of the nine remaining in prison since the incarceration.

Three of the arrested have already entered guilty pleas -- Elijah Shumate to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, Andre Fuller to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and Antwan Williams to conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger said it's a minimum of 10-years in prison and a max of life behind bars for the charge of the count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million.

It's a max of 10-years for distribution and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine and a maximum fine of $1 million as well as on the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon but with a maximum fine of $250,000.

The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a max of life in prison and a max fine of $250,000.

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The men arrested in the Newark drug trafficking ring.

• Angel Kearney, aka “Jim,” aka “Dred”, 31, East Orange -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Thomas Gibson, aka “Tommy,”, 44, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

• Jamar Hall, aka “Goo”, 35, Hamilton -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Kasim Thurston, aka “Kai,” aka “Kaz”, 37, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Ibn Thurston, aka “Wheezy,” aka “Saheed”, 33, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

• Kevin Hall (free on bail), 31, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

• Akim Gibson, aka "Ching", 24, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

• Shalamar McCall, aka “Shaggy”, 34, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

• Hakis Moses, aka “Hak”, 43, Newark -- charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine; distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger said that three other organization members are charged by complaint and their cases are pending.

The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Robert Frazer of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in the Criminal Division in Newark.