9 Reputed Gang Members Arrested in Drug Bust

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)  -- Nine reputed gang members who authorities say were involved in drug and handgun sales and violence throughout New Jersey have been arrested, state and federal officials announced Thursday.


Steve Sandberg Reports

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency said the group peddled mostly heroin but also crack cocaine and handguns from bases in Newark, Irvington and East Orange.

The arrests concluded a yearlong investigation that resulted in the seizure of five kilograms of heroin, a smaller amount of crack cocaine, and five semiautomatic handguns. Authorities hope the arrests have an immediate effect on local gang activity.

``Drug trafficking is the life blood of these violent street gangs,'' said Gerard McAleer, special agent in charge of the DEA's New Jersey office. ``The supply is basically endless,'' he said, but the arrests put ``a big dent'' in it.

Authorities say the group members belonged to the Bloods and Crips street gangs and that they were working together to push the drugs.

``We're seeing more and more that various members of gangs are getting together,'' Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow said. ``We have Crips and Bloods here _ different sets are uniting.''

Arrested Thursday were Chris McClean, 34, of Atlantic City; Amare Terrell, 35, of Orange; Eric Sims, 34, of Newark; Jaquel Moore, 23, of Irvington; and Shanta Brock, 24, of Pleasantville. Jason Franklin, 25, of Irvington, was arrested Wednesday. Three others were arrested earlier this fall.

At an initial hearing Thursday afternoon in Newark federal court for the six arrested this week, all pleaded not guilty. Five of the six were ordered held without bail. Brock was released on a $100,000 bond, according to defense attorney Randy Davenport of Newark.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Robertson said the six suspects face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and face five to 40 years in prison if convicted, depending upon their criminal histories. Five of the six defendants are repeat offenders, he said.

Robertson said three of the suspects served as ``managers'' of the distribution network. Weapons charges may be filed against some of the defendants in the future, he said.

The ring's suspected supplier in New York, Carlos Corporan, 31, was arrested Sept. 29. The Mount Vernon resident was selling 1,200 grams to 2,400 grams of heroin a week for $125,000 to $200,000, according to the DEA. Corporan is also being held without bail, prosecutors said.

The yearlong investigation also resulted in the September arrest of Elaine Rivas, 24, of Mount Vernon, and the October arrest of Hakeem Nickerson, 20, of Irvington. Rivas is free on a $100,000 bond and Nickerson is being held without bail, prosecutors said.

Two other suspects still are being sought in connection with the ring, McAleer said.