The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA, and the assistance of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, announces the seizure of more than 8 kilos of cocaine and charges against 18 people following a narcotics distribution investigation.
Over the course of a two month investigation, authorities were able to connect cocaine suppliers from Puerto Rico to distributors operating in Salem City and Mt. Holly for distribution of cocaine along the East Coast from New Jersey to Massachusetts. A record breaking seizure of narcotics for Salem County, these arrests confirm the disruption of the primary supply chain of cocaine through Salem County and Salem City.
Charged with narcotics and related offenses as a result of the investigation are the following:
- Ramon R. Bentley, Jr., 48, of Salem, New Jersey
- Diego J. Cruz-Corchado, 28, of Isabela, Puerto Rico
- Gabriel J. Lopez, 28, of Mount Holly, New Jersey
- Abner Martinez-Barreto, 28, of Isabela, Puerto Rico
- Carlos Lebron, 51, of Isabela, Puerto Rico
- David E. Jackson, 47, of Salem, New Jersey
- Timothy A. Taylor, 46, of Salem, New Jersey
- Robert P. Thomas, 74, of Pennsville, New Jersey
- Michael A. Washington, 65, of Salem, New Jersey
- Khalid A. Roots, 37, of Salem, New Jersey
- Kevin M. Turner, 41, of Salem, New Jersey
- Lawrence A. Moore, 34, of Salem, New Jersey
- Carlos R. Vasquez, 24, of Mount Holly, New Jersey
- Angel L. Rivera-Gonzalez, 29, of Williamantic, Connecticut
- Adrianna I. Piserchia, 21, of Mount Holly, New Jersey
- Tanisha Badillo-Vazquez, 26, of Mount Holly, New Jersey
- Meraris Z. Lopez-Adorno, 25, of Mount Holly, New Jersey
- Belgica Marroquin, 31, of Trenton, New Jersey
This investigation was possible only as a result of the innovative policing, hard work, tireless support and intelligence provided with the cooperation and overwhelming assistance of the FBI, HSI through the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, USPS, U.S. Marshals Service, New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem County Sheriff’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office T.R.T., Camden County Sheriff’s Office S.E.R.T., Carneys Point Police Department, Penns Grove Police Department, Pennsville Police Department, Salem City Police Department, Vineland Police Department and Willingboro Police Department S.W.A.T. Critical resources provided through the FBI, the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA and HSI made this investigation possible.
The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office thanks all of our law enforcement partners for the resources dedicated to this groundbreaking effort for our area.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Inv. Jonathan Hart at (856) 935-7510 ext. 8333.
If you, or someone you love, is struggling with addiction, please contact Salem County Rescue for life saving information by calling (609) 910-4942 to speak to a Recovery Coach available 24/7 or by emailing .