Ventnor man among 22 charged with drug trafficking

CAMDEN Twenty-two people, including a Ventnor man, have been charged for their roles in an Atlantic City-based drug-trafficking organization that distributed heroin throughout the area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Nineteen defendants were arrested today, one defendant was in custody on previous state charges, and two defendants are not yet in custody. All of the defendants are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin. The defendants arrested today are scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio in Camden federal court.

The defendants charged today have been flooding the streets of Atlantic City and surrounding towns with heroin, often with tragic results, Carpenito said. Numerous deaths and overdoses have been linked to the brands' pushed by these drug traffickers. With our law enforcement partners, we are working to get these drugs, and the organizations that distribute them, off the streets of Atlantic City.

Today's operation should serve as a warning to those thinking of filling the void created by the arrests - we aren't finished. Our agents are dedicated and persistent," FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. "We will continue our efforts to free the community of deadly drugs and drug dealers. We will continue on our mission to protect the public.

Atlantic City Police Chief Henry White Jr. said it was a great day for the city.

"The dismantling of an organization that has brought sorrow and anguish to so many families through the distribution of deadly narcotics is a win for the community. Together, with our federal, state and local partners, we have showed those that wish to invade and flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs that it will not be tolerated. We will continue to fight on behalf of the men, women and children of our respective communities," White said.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office, documents show:

An authorized wiretap investigation revealed that from April of 2017 through June of 2019, the drug trafficking organization's leader, Khalif Toombs, operated a massive drug distribution ring, utilizing multiple stash houses throughout Atlantic City and numerous drug couriers to distribute the heroin. Toombs and his associates coordinated their efforts through the use of phone calls, text messages, and social media. The investigation revealed that Toombs obtained his heroin from a supplier in Paterson, New Jersey, and used Atlantic City associates to make frequent trips to Paterson to obtain his resupply of heroin.

Through the course of the investigation, the FBI determined that Toombs and his associates were distributing multiple stamps, or brands, of heroin, including AK-47, Apple, Fortnite, Rolex, Frank Lucas, Bentley, Pandora, and 9 ½. Between Jan. 1, 2017, and June 21, 2019, drugs with these stamps have accounted for 48 deaths and 84 non-fatal overdoses in New Jersey, according to the N.J. State Police Office of Drug Monitoring and Analysis.

The count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin with which each defendant is charged is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI's Safe Streets South Jersey Violent Incident and Gang Task Force, Atlantic City Resident Agency, and FBI, Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie; officers of the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief White; the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon Tyner; the Atlantic County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Scheffler; and the Pleasantville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Sean Riggin, with the investigation leading to today's charges. He also thanked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the N.J. State Police for their assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Camden represents the state in this case, which was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation's illegal drug supply.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

DEFENDANTS