24 Charged In Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex Cocaine Rings: Prosecutor

Toms River NJ

30 October, 2021

12:04 PM

Description

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Twenty-four people have been arrested and more than 4 kilograms of cocaine seized following a four-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties with ties to New York City, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday night. The investigation that began in July, called "Operation Checkmate," was led by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and involved three simultaneous investigations with members of the Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force, and New Jersey State Police Trafficking Central Unit, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. "During the course of these investigations, approximately 50 additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force on a full-time basis," Billhimer said. "Multiple agencies – both within and outside of Ocean County —assisted in every aspect of all three investigations." Billhimer said three cocaine networks were responsible for the import of more than three kilograms of cocaine per week into the three counties, and were led by the following people: Luis Feliz, 41, of New York; James Hemenway, 43, of Morganville; Dale McCord, 44, of Manalapan; Mark Capichana, 54, of Hazlet; Mark Kelber, 44, of Manalapan; and Andrew Contaldi, 47, of Brick. The investigations involved sophisticated surveillance methods and undercover operatives and culminated in the execution of 24 search warrants and arrests on Tuesday, he said. Authorities seized more than 4 kilograms of cocaine; more than 15 pounds of marijuana; in excess of $650,000 in cash; seven firearms: three handguns, three "ghost guns," and one pistol grip shotgun; 10 vehicles, and additional illegal narcotics, Billhimer said. The following people were arrested and charged, the prosecutor's office said: Feliz, 41, of New York, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; and financial facilitation. Feliz is presently in custody in New York City, pending extradition to New Jersey. Hemenway, 43, of Morganville, also known as "King James," was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of MDMA in an amount greater than one-half ounce with intent to distribute; possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of psilocybin mushrooms; two counts of financial facilitation; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hemenway is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. McCord, 44, of Manalapan, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute; possession of psilocybin mushrooms; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a weapon during controlled dangerous substance activity; certain person not to possess a firearm; three counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine; and two counts of financial facilitation. McCord is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Capichana, 54, of Hazlet, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility; possession of cocaine; and financial facilitation. Capichana is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Kelber, 44, of Manalapan, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; two counts of possession of marijuana; possession of oxandrolone; possession of trenbolone; possession of drostanalone; possession of mesternolone; possession of drug paraphernalia; and certain person not to possess a firearm. Kelber is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Contaldi, 47, of Brick Township, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; six counts of distribution of cocaine; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; and financial facilitation. Contaldi is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Andre Johnson, 45, of Freehold. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility; financial facilitation; and witness tampering. Johnson is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Brian Contey, 41, of Brick Township. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Contey is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Tyrone Finch, 36, of Parlin, Sayreville. He was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; financial facilitation; possession of a weapon during controlled dangerous substance activity; certain person not to possess a firearm; and possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine. Finch is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Alex Johnson, 47, of Brick Township. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. George Sirleaf, 47, of Keyport. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. Terrence Brown, 44, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. Irene Patelaros, 46, of Morganville. She was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. John Dolan, 46, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. Shawn McCord, 25, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform. Daniel Jeandron, 41, of Keyport. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Alexander Nagy, 42, of Laurence Harbor. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. John Sozomenou, 46, of Matawan. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Joseph Horvath, 33, of Toms River. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Christopher Lyons, 42, of Matawan. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Robert Dazinski, 59, of Hazlet. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Diana Roman-Porpora, 54, of Howell. She was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Bobbie Parsells, 42, of Keyport. She was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. Daniel Votapek, 36, of Point Pleasant. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance. "An investigation of this magnitude requires the cooperation of numerous law enforcement agencies and officers," Billhimer said. "Law enforcement officers at the local, county, state, and federal levels demonstrated outstanding teamwork in connection with this very wide-ranging, comprehensive investigation. "This team of professionals literally worked around the clock for the last several months with a singular goal in mind: removing dangerous drug dealers from our streets. I am so grateful for the resolve and dedication exhibited by all the Officers and Detectives involved in 'Operation Checkmate,' " Billhimer said. The following agencies took part in the investigation: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Asset Forfeiture UnitOcean County Regional SWAT TeamUnited States Drug Enforcement Administration - HIDTA Group 5Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike ForceNew Jersey State Police - Trafficking Central UnitNew Jersey State Police Teams UnitNew Jersey Air National Guard Counter Drug Task ForceMiddlesex County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics UnitAtlantic County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task ForceMatawan Borough Police Department and Matawan Borough Police Department K-9 UnitKeyport Borough Police DepartmentManalapan Township Police DepartmentOcean County Sheriff's OfficeOcean County Sheriff's Office Field Services Unit Ocean County Sheriff's Office K-9 UnitBarnegat Township Police DepartmentBrick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit Brick Township Police Department Special Response TeamBrick Township Police Department K-9 UnitBeachwood Borough Police DepartmentBerkeley Township Police DepartmentJackson Township Police DepartmentLakewood Township Police Department Drug Enforcement UnitLakewood Township Police Department Special Response TeamLakewood Township Police Department K-9 UnitManchester Township Police Department Special Enforcement TeamOcean Township Police Department (Waretown)Point Pleasant Borough Police DepartmentSouth Toms River Police DepartmentStafford Township Police DepartmentToms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services UnitToms River Township Police K-9 UnitMonmouth County Sheriff's OfficeMonmouth County Sheriff's Office K-9 UnitAberdeen Township Police DepartmentAsbury Park Police DepartmentHazlet Township Police Department Hazlet Township Police Department K-9 UnitKeansburg Borough Police DepartmentMarlboro Township Police DepartmentMiddletown Township Police DepartmentSea Bright Borough Police DepartmentOld Bridge Township Police Department - Bureau of NarcoticsUnion Beach Borough Police Department Union Beach Borough Police Department K-9 UnitNew York City Police Department - 50 Precinct Field Intelligence OfficeCity of New York Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. 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