By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
A yearlong sting operation into a weapons and cocaine trafficking ring in Newark has resulted in several arrests of men police say are members of the notorious Grape Street Crips gang.
The investigation began in May 2009 after a confidential informant arranged several covert drug purchases in Essex County which later led to undercover purchases of 16 weapons, including semiautomatic pistols and rifles with large capacity ammunition clips, all bought from alleged gang members in Newark and Irvington.
Undercover agents paid $22,400 for the weapons, with some having been defaced or illegally modified.
So far investigators have arrested Khayri McMillan, 25, of Verona, Danny Joseph, 26, of Irvington, Jahrod Kearney, 22, and Gerral Ingram, 19, both of Newark. All four men are in custody and face firearm conspiracy charges. Stevie Buckuse, 34, Rasheed Smith, 19 and Marquis Works, 25, all of Newark, were also arrested and charged with conspiracy to sell cocaine.
Police are searching for William Inzar, 21, Laquana Hill, 29, Wade Bruton, 21, and Ahmod Bruton all of Newark and all fugitives of the law. Police say the Brutons are believed to be en-route from a funeral in Virginia.
The investigation involved both state and federal agencies.
Investigators say the high-end price tags gang members attached to the guns purchased are indicative of the effect law enforcement's crackdown on illegal guns in Newark are having.
“We have put an emphasis on getting guns off the streets, and this shows maybe we’re getting more progress," Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura told the Star-Ledger.
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The investigation began in May 2009 after a confidential informant arranged several covert drug purchases in Essex County which later led to undercover purchases of 16 weapons, including semiautomatic pistols and rifles with large capacity ammunition clips, all bought from alleged gang members in Newark and Irvington.
Undercover agents paid $22,400 for the weapons, with some having been defaced or illegally modified.
So far investigators have arrested Khayri McMillan, 25, of Verona, Danny Joseph, 26, of Irvington, Jahrod Kearney, 22, and Gerral Ingram, 19, both of Newark. All four men are in custody and face firearm conspiracy charges. Stevie Buckuse, 34, Rasheed Smith, 19 and Marquis Works, 25, all of Newark, were also arrested and charged with conspiracy to sell cocaine.
Police are searching for William Inzar, 21, Laquana Hill, 29, Wade Bruton, 21, and Ahmod Bruton all of Newark and all fugitives of the law. Police say the Brutons are believed to be en-route from a funeral in Virginia.
The investigation involved both state and federal agencies.
Investigators say the high-end price tags gang members attached to the guns purchased are indicative of the effect law enforcement's crackdown on illegal guns in Newark are having.
“We have put an emphasis on getting guns off the streets, and this shows maybe we’re getting more progress," Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura told the Star-Ledger.
Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times
www.theblackurbantimes.com
twitter.com/thebutmsdotcom
facebook.com/theblackurbantimes
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