Original article: http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2015/08/salem_county_drug_network_broken_up_14_arrested_au.html#incart_river
By Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com
A three-month interstate investigation that involved local, county, state and federal authorities has resulted in the arrest of 14 — including one man charged as the leader of a drug distribution network — and the seizure of narcotics and cash, officials say.
The main target was Darien L. Martin, 42, of Carpenter Street in Salem. He was arrested at his home around 6 a.m. on July 27 without incident, according to Salem County Prosecutor John T. Lenahan.
“This was a long term cooperative investigation which succeeded because of the professional efforts of the partner agencies involved,” Lenahan said.
Authorities allege that Martin was obtaining bulk quantities of cocaine and phencyclidine outside of Salem County and then distributing quantities of the drugs to people in Salem City and surrounding areas.
Martin was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a quantity greater than one-half ounce with the intent to distribute, being the leader of a narcotics distribution network, maintaining a narcotics distribution facility, conspiracy to distribute over five ounces of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute over 10 grams of phencyclidine (PCP), Lenahan said.
Lenahan said many of the Martin’s alleged customers — 13 of whom were also arrested — were suspected of re-selling the drugs. The arrested allegedly conspired with Martin to possess and or distribution cocaine and phencyclidine.
The arrests were announced this week by the prosecutor’s office.
After being taken into custody, Martin was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility in Mannington Township in lieu of $250,000 bail.
In addition to Martin’s arrest, Lenahan said at the same time search warrants were executed at multiple locations around Salem City during which a large quantity of suspected cocaine was seized along with drug distribution paraphernalia.
Officials estimate that the suspected cocaine had an estimated street value of approximately $9,000.
The investigation, which was led by Senior Investigator Ryan Donelson of the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, also resulted in nearly $4,000 in suspected criminal proceeds being seized, Lenahan said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration-Camden Resident Office, New Jersey State Police, Salem County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, Carneys Point Police Department, Lower Alloways Creek Police Department, Bridgeton Police Department and the Rowan University Police Department assisted with the investigation.
“The Salem Police Department residents of Salem and I appreciated the effort and dedication put forth by the Salem County Prosecutors’ Office and the other agencies that assisted in shutting down a large scale drug distribution ring in Salem,” Salem Chief of Police John Pelura III said.
In addition to Martin, the following subjects were arrested and charged as a result of the investigation, authorities said:
- Yusef Parsons, 30 of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Parsons was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility in default of $35,000 bail.
- Valerie Shockley, 55, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Shockley was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.
- Lisa Hickman, 53, of Woodstown was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Hickman was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Stacey Spence, 50, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Spence was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Diane Gibson, 54, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Gibson was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- James Sheeley, 42, of Elsinboro was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Sheeley was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Keith Summiel, 52, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Summiel was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Yvonne Spence, 51, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Spence was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Leroy Bowick, 56, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Bowick was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Althea Henderson, 50, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Henderson was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- John Allen, 48, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Allen was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Cedric Burch, 53, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Burch was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance.
- Lisa Wilson, 45, of Salem was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Wilson was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance.