Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that a Camden man was sentenced to state prison today for leading a major drug network with ties to the Ñetas street gang that was dealing large quantities of heroin in the area of 4th and Royden Streets in Camden.
The ring was dismantled in 2012 through “Operation Billboard,” led by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
Michael “Bute” Rivera, 31, of Camden, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison – of which he must serve 13 years and seven months without possibility of parole – by Superior Court Judge John T. Kelley in Camden County.
Rivera pleaded guilty to first-degree racketeering on Jan. 9.
In pleading guilty, Rivera admitted that he was partners with the senior leader, Noel Gonzalez, in running the heroin ring. Gonzalez, 44, died of natural causes in June 2013 with charges pending against him. Thirty-six members of the ring, including Rivera and Gonzalez, were indicted on Jan. 9, 2013, as a result of Operation Billboard, which was led by the Division of Criminal Justice, with assistance from the Camden Police Department, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police and federal agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations.
More than 30 defendants have entered guilty pleas to charges of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, or narcotics distribution, all of which resulted in state prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years.
The investigation revealed that Gonzalez and Rivera ran a large-scale drug distribution network that was dealing up to tens of thousands of dollars in heroin per week.
In addition to Gonzalez, who was a reputed member of the Ñetas, the leadership of the ring included other members of the Ñetas and Latin Kings street gangs. The ring had a well-defined hierarchy and used guns and violence to protect its turf.
At the time of the initial arrests, investigators executed search warrants at Gonzalez’s residence and four other residences. During the arrests and searches, authorities seized approximately three-quarters of a kilo of heroin; approximately $52,000 in cash; about $20,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency, and a .40-caliber handgun. Eight vehicles also were seized.