Three of the men were also charged with murder
MAYS LANDING - An Atlantic County Grand Jury has handed up RICO Act indictments against 30 defendants who were part of a large-scale drug operation in Atlantic County. Officers seized $2.6 million in cash, and three of the men named in the indictment were also charged in connection with the fatal February 2019 shooting of Demond Tally in Atlantic City, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced Wednesday, April 21.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Guns, Gangs and Narcotics Unit conducted an investigation from March 2017 to the present into the large-scale drug operation in Atlantic County led by Steven Martinez, 27, and Shiraz Khan, 31, since 2016.
As the leaders of the organization, Martinez and Khan supplied large quantities of narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, Suboxone, Percocet and marijuana, to be sold by various individuals who operated as drug dealers for the organization.
Tyner credited Prosecutor's Office investigators and local law enforcement agencies that provided assistance during the four-year investigation, including the Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township and Galloway Township police departments.
Tyner said after his incarceration at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, Khan continued to operate the organization using cellphones and narcotics smuggled into the jail by Correctional Police Officer Luis Mercado, 26, who was also charged. Several other individuals in the organization were previously arrested for possession of firearms and distribution of CDS.
The hard work by law enforcement culminated in the indictment of thirty individuals for numerous crimes, including but not limited to murder, distribution and possession of large quantities of drugs and money laundering, Tyner said.
Assets seized during the course of the extensive investigation include $2.6 million U.S. currency, eight parcels of land located in Hamilton Township, Pleasantville and Buena Borough, and three vehicles.
Khan, Martinez, and several other members of this organization were known to be armed and dangerous. Charges against various individuals include murder, weapons offenses, racketeering, conspiracy, possession and distribution of CDS, forgery, bribery and money laundering.
In addition to narcotics offenses in the indictment, Martinez, along with Shamar Scott, 25, and Deshawn Hose, 23, are responsible for the shooting and killing of Demond Tally, 45. On Feb. 10, 2019 at 5:13 a.m., Atlantic City Police Department responded to ShotSpotter in the area of Presbyterian Avenue in Atlantic City, where Tally was found shot. Tally was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus Trauma Unit, where he was pronounced dead. Martinez, Scott and Hose were charged with murder and conspiracy and indicted in connection with Tally's death.
Effective partnerships between law enforcement agencies at all levels of government are essential to public safety. This extensive investigation is an example of the great teamwork that exists here in Atlantic County. While we know that these charges will not bring their loved one back, we hope that this will bring some comfort and peace to the Tally family, Atlantic City Police Interim Officer in Charge James A. Sarkos.
Investigations in connection to other acts of violence committed by this organization are continuing, Tyner said.
The investigation was a cooperative effort by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Atlantic County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, Atlantic City Police Department, Egg Harbor Township Police Department and Galloway Township Police Department.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy represents the state in the matters.
Those indicted are:
