OPERATION “HEADING BACK” UPDATE

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Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today that Friday’s (3/9) press conference covering Operation Heading Back in no way signals the end of the operation.  The cooperative multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, US Drug Enforcement Administration Ocean/Monmouth High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and 30 state, county and local law enforcement agencies begun in April of 2017 continues to tie up loose ends.

Yesterday (3/12), Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered detention for Rasheed Sanders, 37, of East Orange, New Jersey.  Sanders was arrested and charged on February 17, 2018 with first degree Possession with Intent (Cocaine over 5oz), second degree Possession of a Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense (Loaded AK 47), and Possession of Paraphernalia Disorderly Persons.  On 3/2, Sanders was charged additionally with fourth degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons and Possession of an Assault Weapon.  OCPO Assistant Prosecutor Jamie L. Schron presented critical details supporting OCPO’s position that Sanders be detained which ultimately led to Judge Daniels’ final ruling yesterday.

Also yesterday, Akera Lewis, 27, of Newark, who was listed as fugitive on our 3/9 release, surrendered at her Jersey City Attorney’s office.  She is charged with second degree Conspiracy Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, third degree Possession of Heroin, third degree Possession Heroin with Intent, and third degree Distribution of Heroin.  Adrienne D Edward, Esq., 549 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, represents Lewis.

AKERA LAVEE LEWIS

The 3/9 press conference announced that Operation Heading Back through numerous investigative methods and undercover operatives, was successful in disrupting and/or dismantling illicit controlled dangerous substance (CDS) distribution activities within the New Jersey counties of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Union and the Borough of the Bronx in New York. The investigation now has led to 29 arrests for various offenses involving the distribution of CDS, (2) two fugitive warrants issued, and (9) nine CDS production facilities dismantled.  During the course of the operation 33 search warrants were executed resulting in the seizure of 90,000 dosage units of heroin, over 19lbs of cocaine, $848,481 in currency, 20 firearms (to include a loaded AK-47 assault rifle), 27 vehicles (many high end) valued at approximately $713,620 and additional illegal narcotics.