Two-Month Investigation Nets 12 Arrests, $3.6 Million in Heroin in Cape May, Cumberland Counties

A two-month long investigation resulted in the arrests of 12 people and the seizure of $3.6 million in Heroin, Cape May County Prosecutor, Robert L Taylor and Cumberland County Prosecutor, Jennifer Webb-McRae announced on Wednesday.

Carlos Guzman and Hector Ramos were named as the leaders of the large-scale narcotics trafficking network, and 10 others were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

Guzman and Ramos were charged with first degree leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first degree manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance, and second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

There is an additional suspect in custody with international drug distribution connections, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

Additionally, 10 individuals were charged with second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and third degree conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance.

Those individuals were:

* Miguel Claudio;
* Juan A. Lopez;
* Maritza Jenkins;
* Toby Simmons;
* Jose I. Baez;
* Edward Perez;
* Angelica Alvarado;
* Romulo Rojas Navarro; and
* Badie M. Hmaidan.

Search warrants were executed at locations throughout Cape May and Cumberland counties, but none were in Ocean City. Six separate vehicles were also searched.

Thus far, law enforcement officials have seized the equivalent of 182,000 bags of heroin worth $3.6 million. A handgun and about $200,000 were also seized.

Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network carries a mandatory penalty, if convicted, of life imprisonment with a· 25 year period of parole negligibility. First degree crimes carry a penalty of between 10 and 20 years New Jersey State Prison. Second degree crimes carry a penalty of between 5 and 10 years, and third degree crimes carry a penalty of between 3 and 5 years. This is an ongoing investigation and searches are continuing.

An additional 7,700 bags of heroin with a street value in excess of $150,000 were seized from a vehicle in Cape May County.

Taylor and Webb-McRae thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the local law enforcement agencies that assisted in this investigation.

THANK YOU
Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office
Cumberland County Prosecutors Office
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department
Bridgeton Police Department
Millville Police Department
DEA Atlantic City Resident Agency
FBI Atlantic City Resident Agency
THANK YOU LIST
Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Resident Agency
New Jersey State Police
Ocean City Police Department
Sea Isle City Police Department
Cape May County Sheriff’s Department
Lower Township Police Department
Middle Township Police Department
North Wildwood Police Department
Wildwood Crest Police Department
Wildwood Police Department
Atlantic County Prosecutors Office
Ocean County Prosecutors Office
Salem County Prosecutors Office
Cape May County Regional SWAT Team
Atlantic County SWAT
New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit
FBI Newark Field Office SWAT
MAGLOCLEN