patersonpd
NEWARK, N.J. – Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig of NJ says 12 Members and Associates of the ‘Harlem World/12th Avenue’
Street Gang are charged in the Paterson, NJ based drug trafficking network for their alleged roles in the fatal distribution of drugs, including cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl.
Honig says an investigation from February 2020 through April 26, 2021, alleges defendants of the gang distributed decks of heroin that are almost always stamped or labeled with various “brand names” in colored ink to allow dealers and purchasers alike to differentiate and market batches of heroin. For example, on various occasions, glassine envelopes were stamped “Coca Cola,” “Larry Bird,” “Kobe Bryant,” “Paid in Full,” “Best Buy,” and “K.O.” Since October 2020, the illegal drugs have been linked to over 10 fatal overdoses.
Investigators say an individual is eligible to join Harlem World/ 12th Avenue Gang if he resides within the gang’s turf and is willing to participate in street-level narcotics sales.
Charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base are the following Paterson residents:
- 38-year-old Michael Booker
- 28-year-old Kenron Boyd
- 53-year-old Ronald Hammond
- 28-year-old Damir Horne-Casper
- 26-year-old Marcell Jackson
- 25-year-old Roger Jacobs
- 31-year-old Damond King
- 24-year-old Naquis Martin
- 40-year-old Korri Muckle
- 35-year-old Troy Taylor
Also, the US attorney’s office says 20-year-old Tahj Smith of Haledon, NJ also faces the same count of conspiracy to distribute.
12 Members and associates of ‘Harlem World/12th Avenue’ street gang charged in drug trafficking conspiracy https://t.co/eJ24ly47Oe
— NJ US Attorney (@USAO_NJ) April 29, 2021
King, who is already in custody on state charges, is additionally charged by complaint with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Three of the defendants, Booker, Jackson, and Taylor are at large.
The remaining eight defendants who were arrested Thursday appeared via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk.
