As a follow-up to a recent post involving the dismemberment of a large-scale drug-trafficking operation in Paterson, New Jersey, seven additional individuals have been arrested and charged with drug-related offenses in connection with the case.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes recently announced the arrests of Wayne residents: 22-year-old Tyler Galione, 21-year-old Mark Tucker, 23-year-old Timothy Lindstrom, 22-year-old Robert Elk, 23-year-old Keir Bowers, 21-year-old Andrew Alain, and 22-year-old Steven Cerquiera. These arrests follow thirteen others which resulted from Operation Blue Bullet, an active investigation into a Paterson drug-trafficking organization centered on prescription drugs, specifically Oxycodone, as well as cocaine.
Officers from the Paterson, Wayne, Passaic, Clifton, Hawthorne, Little Falls, Totowa, Wanaque, William Paterson University, Garfield, and North Caldwell police departments; officials from the Passaic and Essex County prosecutor’s offices; and members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, have participated in the six-month investigation.
Among the thirteen others arrested, four Paterson residents are facing charges for felonies. According to Ms. Valdes, 31-year-old Fidel Gonzalez is facing charges including leading a narcotics trafficking network, while 33-year-old Victor Torres, 19-year-old McCoy Whitaker, and 19-year-old Andrew Jackson are facing charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
Nine residents from a variety of towns located in Passaic, Bergen, and Essex counties, also face charges for drug-related offenses as a result of Operation Blue Bullet.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Passaic prosecutor’s ‘Operation Blue Bullet’ nets 7 more drug arrests
