Authorities have arrested two alleged drug kingpins along with several other suspects from Cumberland and Cape May County on Wednesday as part of a two month operation.
The investigation, initiated by the Cape May County Prosecutors Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force, enlisted the help of federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and Department of Homeland Security. The operation led to a search warrant being issued on Wednesday where the authorities searched various locations throughout both Cape May and Cumberland County. The searches turned up around 182,000 bags of heroin estimated to be worth $3.6 million dollars on the streets. It was the largest narcotic investigation in Cape May County history.
The two alleged drug kingpins were charged with first-degree leader of a narcotics traffic network, first degree manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance, and second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. These charges are extremely serious as leader of a narcotics traffic network can result in life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years. The first degree charges carry a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years while the second degree charges carry a term of 5 to 10 years.
