Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, along with local, state and federal agencies, executed seven search warrants this week in Newark, East Orange and Irvington and recovered narcotics valued at $80,000.
According to a statement released by authorities, during the execution of the warrants cocaine, heroin and marijuana with a street value of approximately $80,000 was seized along with $10,000 in cash and three handguns.
The following individuals were arrested:
Andre Mims, 41, of Irvington was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.
Herbert Cheeks, 52, of Newark was charged with unlawful possession of weapon and conspiracy to violate narcotics laws of New Jersey.
Gregory Mims, 43, of East Orange was charged with conspiracy, possession of crack cocaine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Lateefa Monroe, 34, of Newark was charged with conspiracy, possession of crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.
Christopher Kays, 29, of Succasunna, Joseph DeLorenzo, 30, of Landing, and Lisa DeRonde, 47, of West Orange, Stephanie Steffano, 31, of Dover, Jamel Tyler, 30, of North Brunswick, Karrien Warren, 38, of Newark and Kasimu Shomari, 54, of Newark were all charged with conspiracy to violate narcotics laws. Jameelah Kennedy, 39, of East Orange was charged with possession of marijuana.
The investigation is active and ongoing. The charges against the defendants are accusations.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.