By: Richard L. Smith
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger has announced charges against nine individuals for their involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking organization known for distributing significant quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine across Union County and beyond.
Federal officials said the accused are identified as Jerry Ross, 46, of Somerset; Joseph Ross, 42, of Rahway; Luis Delvalle, 41; Pernell White, 36; Jaquay Bell, 35, all of Piscataway; Andre Gaddy, 31, of North Plainfield; and Jacob Douglas, 42, Tarrell Strond, 42, and Tayeire Thomas, 26, all of Plainfield, New Jersey.
Each has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute the said narcotics.
Six of the defendants were scheduled for their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark, while Douglas, White, and Thomas remain at large.
Court documents reveal that these individuals are part of a drug trafficking network operating an open-air narcotics market around West 3rd Street in Plainfield, New Jersey.
This network is associated with the "Sex, Money, Murder" gang, a faction of the notorious Bloods street gang.
The charges follow months of diligent efforts by law enforcement, which included surveillance, controlled narcotics purchases, and the analysis of telephone communications among the accused, demonstrating extensive drug trafficking activities.