17 Arrested in 'Operation Buy Walk' Bust

By Alicia Cruz 

TheBlackUrbanTimes.Com 

In a press release issued Thursday, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark, New Jersey Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced the arrests of 17 individuals charged with possession of drugs, possession with intent to distribute and weapons offenses. 

The arrests were a culmination of a three-month long investigation dubbed "Operation Buy Walk," which began on October 1, 2012. Investigators targeted areas known for drug sales and on November 29, nine people were arrested and charged with distributing narcotics in the city of Orange. 

 A total of 27 people were taken into custody, and six others remain at-large. Orange Police Director Hakim Sims said the area where the initial arrests occurred had been of concern to the Mayor and members of the community for some time. 

Thursday's pre-dawn raid in Newark netted approximately $2853.00 in cash, five guns and 121 rounds of ammunition, including two 30-round clips used in an assault weapon. 

In all, VIPER unit investigators seized one Mossberg 12 gauge (Model 500A), one AK47 .762 Semi auto 103028, one Derringer .38 cal Handgun, one 9MM Smith and Wesson Handgun and one .45 cal Handgun. 

"This operation is part of our continuing fight to curb the sale of drugs and to remove guns from the streets of Essex County Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Illegal drugs fuel violence," said Murray.

 "Every time we remove an illegal weapon from the streets we believe we save lives. In this particular case not only were we able to remove handguns but also an assault weapon with the capacity to discharge 30 rounds from a single clip." 

City officials jumped into action after residents in Newark and other parts of the county complained about drugs being sold in their neighborhoods. 

The operation, which has been underway since October 1, 2012, was led by the Essex County Prosecutor’s VIPER Unit, and carried out with the Newark Police Department and assistance from the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Sheriff. 

The agencies employed various investigative techniques, including surveillance. With several undercover purchases made, search warrants were executed at two locations in Newark Thursday morning – one in the 100 block of Fabyan Place and the other in the 300 block of Mahogany Court. 

In addition to the cash and weapons, police found 17 bags of marijuana, 125 vials of crack cocaine and 252 decks of Heroin stamped. 

The narcotics had a street value of approximately $4,000.00. 

Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa lauded the Essex County Prosecutors Office, the Newark Police Department, the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in combating narcotics traffic and violent crime. 

"This is another example of law enforcement agencies working together to make communities safer by taking drugs and dangerous weapons off the streets," said Chiesa. 

Newark Police Director Demaio said, "The Newark Police Department has routinely shared resources and intelligence with our local, county, and federal law enforcement partners with great success. Today we celebrate yet another victory in our war on guns and drugs which have wreaked havoc in communities across the nation. These arrests should send a strong message to the criminal element as well as the communities that we serve about our resolve to prevent and reduce crime and improve the quality of life for our residents." 

Arrested in Thursday's bust were 16 adults, and one juvenile, who was released into the care of his mother. Their names, excluding the juvenile, are: 

Kelly Griffin, 25, of Newark was charged with conspiracy and distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

James McQueen, 34, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Shawn L. Wallace, 30, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Chanel Barden, 21, of Newark was charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of a weapon while committing a crime and receiving stolen property. 

Kenneth Broadus, 23, of Irvington distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Brayonne Carney, 25, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Saqid Green, 44, of Newark was charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and possession within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Jamal Jones, 35 of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS. 

Tony McNair, 47, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Hakim McNair, Jr., 18, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Rajee Stokes, 18, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Donald Travis, 31, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS.

 Wajeehah Andrews, 32, of Newark was charged with possession of marijuana, possession within 1,000 feet of school. She also had an outstanding warrant from Linden. 

Tony Whitaker, 19, of Newark was charged with possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of s school. 

Awad Cureton, 20, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Effrin Bridges, 47, of Montclair was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

Jocelyn Julien, 20, of Newark was charged with distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school. 

All defendants are currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark in lieu of bail ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. These charges are accusations. 

All defendants are presumed innocent until they enter a guilty plea or are proven guilty in a court of law.