Newark, N.J. – The New Jersey State Police led a coalition of law enforcement agencies including the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Newark Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force, which has led to the arrest of 12 members of the Red Breed Gorillas set of the Bloods Street Gang for drug distribution, drug possession, gang criminality, and weapons offenses.
During the 10-month investigation, investigators discovered that an organized hierarchy of the Red Breed Gorillas Street Gang controlled the drug distribution in the area of Stratford Place and the Grace West Housing Complex on Irvine Turner Boulevard in Newark, N.J, which contributed to increased violence and criminal activity in the area.
Authorities said on n Friday, January 20, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression North Unit, Fugitive Unit, Violent and Organized Crime North Bureau, U.S. Marshals Task Force, and the Newark Police Department arrested 12 suspects in a massive sweep.
Nine additional members have been identified, but have not been located. The remaining suspects have active arrest warrants and are urged to surrender to law enforcement.
“From the highest ranking member to the lowest, all of the suspects of this illicit gang will now have to answer for their alleged crimes, which include selling drugs near schools and parks where children play,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
“Through long-term investigations with multi-agency cooperation, we can dismantle sophisticated drug trafficking networks, which always bring violence and sorrow to the communities they affect.”
The suspects listed below were charged with multiple CDS offenses and Gang Criminality.
Kevin Clayton, 25, Newark
Aljuquan Thomason, 24, Newark
Yasim Smith, 19, Newark
Abdul Bryant, 20, Newark
Lyonel Finklea, 30, Newark
Bryant Hawkins, 39, Newark
Elijah Evans, 24, Newark
Quashyne Seburn, 24, Newark
Terrance Shells, 19, Newark
Alfatah Loyal, 31, Newark
Tyree Oxford, 23, Newark
Tyre Sorbino, 18, Newark
Darrell Williams, Newark
Ameer Castleberry, Newark
Hezron Rodgers, Newark
Evidence seized as a result of the sweep:
Glock .357 semi auto handgun
168 decks of heroin
94 vials of crack cocaine
$3,541 in US Currency
The following individuals are still at large and have active arrest warrants:
Ramon Finklea, 29, Newark
Jahob Loyal, 27, Newark
Yasin Hamilton, 25, Newark
Kevin Loyal, 28, Newark
Charlie Jones, 28, Newark
Nyreek Loyal, 21, Newark
Darnell Cogman, 44, Newark
Jahwon Christian, 21, Newark
Naim Stewart, 23, Newark
Anyone with information about the remaining suspects is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police at (973) 351-1063. Anonymous tips are welcome. This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
Charges are mere accusations, and the suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.