Police have smashed a drug ring involving huge quantities of heroin and fentanyl that were packaged at underground “mills” in Passaic and Bergen counties, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Newark, Platkin announced the indictment of 20 alleged members of the Rodriguez, Sanchez and Gutierrez Drug Traffic Organization and the seizure of nearly $5 million worth of heroin and fentanyl, plus two firearms.
Platkin said the ring operated four drug mills in Paterson and one in Garfield, where they mixed and packaged heroin and fentanyl into nearly 500,000 doses for sale on the street.
“A half a million doses,” Platkin said. “And any one of them could be lethal.”
The charges stem from a three-year investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice and the Paterson Police Department.
The indictment charges all 20 defendants with racketeering in the 1st degree and numerous drug distribution charges. The three alleged leaders — Adrian Rodriguez, 30, of Woodland Park, Carlos Sanchez, 36, and Walter Gutierrez, 33, both of Paterson — are also charged with promoting organized crime and maintaining a drug production facility.
Rodriguez and Sanchez are among the 11 defendants who remain at large, authorities said.
During the three-year investigation, State Police Maj. Michael Flory said the drugs sold by the ring are believed to have caused 109 fatal overdoses. Another 143 individuals overdosed but survived, he added.
“The drugs seized were intended for distribution across our streets, threatening the safety and well-being of countless individuals,” Flory said. “We want to be clear: this takedown is not just about arrests. It is about saving lives.”
Four of the alleged drug mills operated in Paterson. The other was in Garfield, according to the NJ State Police.Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com
Platkin said the mills operated out of private residences, stocked with all the paraphernalia needed to package drugs: scales, wax folds, and wood stamps to “brand” the dope.
“I think the most disturbing item was a photograph of the alleged ringleader of this operation, holding stacks and stacks of currency in both hands,” Platkin said. “And that is what this is all about, because drug dealers profit while people in our communities suffer.”
Theresa L. Hilton, the director of the state Division of Criminal Justice, said the investigation “combined the latest technology with old-fashioned police work.”
Using surveillance, search warrants and cellphone analysis, Hilton said investigators uncovered a highly-sophisticated operation with a ‘defined hierarchy’ that included financiers, baggers, distributors and runners.
All told, police recovered 126 ounces of heroin and 95 ounces of fentanyl, plus a .22-caliber pistol and a .38-caliber semi-automatic handgun, Hilton said.
The indictment also charges the defendants used fake addresses and false identities to rent, lease or buy vehicles and residences to distribute drugs.
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Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.