The charges stem from an investigation dubbed "Operation Justice Served" for activities that centered around Freehold
FREEHOLD -- A Monmouth County grand jury on Thursday returned a 100-count indictment against 45 people, accusing them of being part of a drug distribution ring in the Freehold area.
The five-month undercover investigation, dubbed "Operation Justice Served," resulted in the arrests between September and November of a dozen people on drug distribution charges and another 33 people on drug possession and conspiracy allegations, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.
The ring, he said, dealt heroin, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs mainly in Freehold Borough, but also stretching out to neighboring communities. The trafficking network moved about 2,500 bags of heroin and 200 grams of cocaine weekly, he said.
By the time detectives wound up their investigation, they seized more than 2,700 bags of heroin, 300 grams of cocaine, 16 ounces of marijuana and dozens of prescription pills intended for distribution in and around Freehold, the prosecutor said.
"We are faced with a drug problem of epidemic proportions and we must continue our coordinated assault on supply lines that feed off the problem like a cancer," Gramiccioni said.
Beginning in late spring 2016, the investigation - involving federal, state, county and local officers - focused on the alleged drug activities of Kenneth Crooms, 45, of Freehold Borough, but then quickly expanded to others who authorities said sold drugs or helped Crooms distribute the illegal narcotics, Gramiccioni said.
The grand jury indicted Crooms and 13 others with distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, two counts each distribution and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and pain medications and one count of conspiracy to distribute those drugs.
Those indicted along with Crooms on those charges are Freehold Township residents Welman Crooms, 39; Newman Davis, 40; Kayla Vold, 22, and Freehold Borough residents Michael W. Garrett, 51; Juan Heredia, 32: Husmir Salihagic, 32; William Torres, 54.
They also include Angel J. Fuentes, 25, of Somerset Township; Carson Givens, 37, of Manalapan; Amanda N. Rivera, 36, of Long Branch and Andre L. Williams, 40, of Bayonne;
Kelly Andriessen, 21, of Freehold Township and Erikan Hassan, 34, of Manalapan, were charged with similar offenses in November and their cases were resolved before the indictment was returned, Gramiccioni said.
Garrett was also charged with possession of a firearm during a drug offense, he said.
The indictment also charged others with drug possession and alleged they regularly met with Kenneth Crooms or Newman Davis to buy drugs.
* John Smith Jr., 41, Freehold Township
* Ahmed Ibrahim, 25, Freehold Township
* Shannon Gregory, 25, Howell
* Cody Olmo, 25, Oceanport
* Eric Alleyne, 46, Freehold Borough
* Emmett Odonnell, 49, Freehold Borough
* Stevens Cordova, 36, Freehold Borough
* Jason Galatro, 45, Freehold Borough
* John Loprete, 56, Freehold Borough
* Michael Perri, 47, Freehold Borough
* Christopher Odonnell, 54, Monroe Township
* Austin Ventura, 28, Manalapan
* James Mulligan, 61, Freehold Township
* Fabrizio Illiano, Freehold Township
* Giovanni Illiano, 46, Freehold Township
* Louis Almonte, 47, of Helen Avenue, Freehold Borough
* Richard T. Burger, 46, Freehold Township
* Michael J. Migliore, 43, Freehold Township
* Jaclyn R. Nalven, 32, Freehold Township
* Gina B. Levtov, 35, Manalapan Township
* Kevin Bellach, 44, Freehold Township
* Peter C. Stiles, 47, Freehold Borough
* Michael J. Ferriole, 37, Freehold Township
* Richard J. Pretty, 42, of Howell
* Eric Ousley, 56, Freehold Township
* Darren Whiting, 49, Freehold Borough
* Kevin L. Washington, 52, Millstone Township
* James M. Fair, 52, Freehold Borough
* Jennifer Suydam, 28, Marlboro
* Christine Hicks, 46, Freehold Township
* Anthony Macario, 49, Jackson
* Amanda Dunham, 25, Manalapan
* Miguel Rios-Bautista, 25, Freehold Borough
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.