Five people were arrested this week and charged in connection with a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey.
On Friday, May 15, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced charges against Andrew Davis, Clifford Brown, Damion Jones, James McBride and Jule Stubbs, who are accused of being members of a DTO that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
“This investigation dismantled a drug trafficking organization responsible for flooding communities across southern New Jersey and Philadelphia with dangerous quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. “The seizures in this case represent lives potentially saved from the devastating impact of these deadly narcotics.”
According to documents filed in this case, in order to dismantle this DTO, law enforcement obtained wire-tap orders for Davis’ phones, conducted controlled drug purchases with a confidential source, performed physical and electronic surveillance, and executed search warrants.
According to officials, the DTO obtained the drugs from packages sent to addresses the DTO controlled in southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
The complaint described some of the drugs seized by law enforcement as part of the investigation, including more than 38 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, more than 7.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and almost 1 kilogram of fentanyl/fentanyl analogue.
“Working through the Homeland Security Task Force and alongside our federal, state, and local partners, this Office is committed to dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks that flood our communities with deadly narcotics and fuel violence and addiction,” said Frazer.
The suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine. If convicted, that charge carries a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million.