Federal agents rousted 14 gang members from their homes early Tuesday morning along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents; New Jersey State Police; Irvington Police Department and Homeland Security Investigators after federal charges were unsealed accusing the individuals of distributing crack throughout the Irvington area, said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
Two suspects named in the federal complaint remain at large, Bradney "Ice" Manasse, 28, of West Orange and Timothy Piercin, 32, of East Orange. Another man, Chenete Philemon, arrested April 9, is also named in the complaint. He remains in State custody pending a transfer to face the federal charge.
Prosecutors say from February 2010 through April 2011, confidential law enforcement sources made numerous purchases of crack cocaine from the defendants and police witnessed many.
Agents intercepted phone calls made by Mark Manasse to other defendants where details of drug transactions were discussed. These calls, said Fishman, demonstrated the narcotics consortium's efforts to manufacture and distribute crack cocaine, including dialogue about patron satisfaction, the tempo of sales, and the quality of the drugs. The callers even had code words to describe the narcotics such as “buzz,” and “white candy."
In addition to the drug offenses, Mark Manasse allegedly ordered the executions of two people in an effort to maintain control of the drug trafficking organization. Police overheard discussions about the attempted murders during telephone conversations during January and April 2011. The officers were able to impede the murders after identifying the intended targets.
Fishman stated the investigation, which led to Tuesday’s mass arrests, are indicative of local law enforcement agencies resolve to eradicate drug dealers and the turbulence they bring to neighborhoods across the state.
Peter T. Edge, Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI in New Jersey added that residents should not have to live in fear within their communities because of the violence associated with gangs and people who sell and possess illicit drugs.
“By combining our resources, intelligence and investigative expertise, we have taken yet another proactive step towards shutting down the destructive drug pipeline in New Jersey," said Edge.
Those arrested in the takedown are: Mark "M-Easy" Manasse, 26, of West Orange, N.J.; Akmad "Pop" Anderson,25, Ligunes "LB" Bonnet, 23, Anquan "GS" Clark, 19, Jovany "Rims" Clermont, 24, Donald Duterval, 22, David "Grim" Glass, 21, and Israel "Little Easy" Petiote, 22, all of
Irvington; Tafary "Birdie" Clervil, 25, of East Orange; Levelston Georges, 21, and Philemon "Butter" Pierre-Saint, 26, of Newark; and Chenete "Jumanji" Philemon, 21, of Orange.
All are charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, which carries a statutory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, in addition to a $10 million fine. The defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Dickson this afternoon in Newark federal court.
1 comments:
In order to make this show stopping statement collateral damage was a necessary part of the program according to our elected officials, peace officers, and others. My son was collateral damage victim #4. Funny; I know he never signed up for the sacrifice nor did I. Four years later, I still grieve the loss of him.
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