A five-month undercover drug distribution investigation by federal, state, county
and local law enforcement agencies dubbed Operation Justice Served culminated with the arrest of 42 people during the last month, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Nov. 3.
The arrests were connected to a Freehold Borough-based drug distribution network involved in the sale of controlled substances including heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and prescription pain medications such as oxycodone and Percocet, according to a press release.
“The joint efforts of the multiple law enforcement agencies involved in Operation Justice Served have accomplished the mission of taking down this local drug trafficking network responsible for bringing drugs into the county and threatening quality of life and the safety of residents,” Gramiccioni said.
“I applaud law enforcement’s seizure of over 2,700 bags of heroin, 300 grams of cocaine, 16 ounces of marijuana and dozens of prescription pills. Perhaps most importantly, a drug trafficking network that was moving about 2,500 bags of heroin and 200 grams of cocaine a week is officially out of business as this operation stopped its ability to put dangerous substances into our community,” he said.
Gramiccioni credited numerous law enforcement agencies for their hard work and
dedication to the investigation, including the Freehold Borough Police Department, the Freehold Township Police Department, the Marlboro Police Department, the Manalapan Police Department, the Howell Police Department, the Brielle Police Department, the Asbury Park Police Department, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department, the Eatontown Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The investigation began in late spring by focusing on alleged drug sales by Kenneth Crooms, 44, of Freehold Borough. The investigation expanded to include 12 others who were either allegedly aiding Crooms in his distribution of drugs or selling drugs themselves, according to the press release.
The investigation netted 42 of 46 people charged as part of conspiracies to sell and possess drugs in Freehold Borough and nearby communities, according to the press release.
The following individuals are each charged with two counts of second degree distribution of controlled dangerous substances and possession of controlled dangerous substances (heroin and cocaine), two counts each of third degree distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances (marijuana and pain medications), and one count of second degree conspiracy to distribute the drugs.
• Kenneth Crooms, 44, of Freehold Borough, bail set at $1,061,000, with a 10 percent option.
• Newman Davis, 39, of Freehold Township, bail set at $250,000, no 10 percent option. Davis is also charged with first degree possession of CDS with intent to
distribute CDS on Oct. 31 in Freehold Borough, bail set at $230,000, no 10 percent option.
• Carson Givens, also known as Carson Crooms, 36, of Manalapan.
• Welman B. Crooms, 39, of Freehold Township.
• Andre L. Williams, 40, of Bayonne, bail set at $250,000, no 10 percent option.
• Kayla Vold, 22, of Freehold Township.
• Kelly L. Andriessen, 21, of Freehold Township.
• Erikan Hassan, 34, of Manalapan.
• William Torres, 54, of Freehold.
• Juan Heredia, 31, of Freehold.
• Michael W. Garrett, 49, of Freehold, bail set at $250,000, no 10 percent option. Garrett was also charged with second degree possession of a firearm during a CDS offense after a search of his home uncovered a loaded handgun, bail set at $50,000, no 10 percent option.
• Amanda N. Rivera, 35, of Long Branch, bail set at $65,000, no 10 percent option.
• Angel J. Fuentes, 25, of Somerset Township, bail set at $250,000, no 10 percent option. Fuentes was also charged with first degree possession of CDS with intent to distribute CDS on Oct. 31 in Freehold Borough, bail set at $230,000, no 10 percent option.
Carson Givens, Welman B. Crooms and Kelly Andriessen remained at large as of Nov. 3, according to the prosecutor.
The investigation also revealed that 28 people regularly met Kenneth Crooms or Newman Davis to allegedly buy drugs on a regular basis. Each of those individuals has been charged with third degree possession of controlled dangerous substances and third degree conspiracy to possess controlled dangerous substances, according to the press release.
If convicted of first degree offenses, defendants face a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison. If convicted of second degree offenses, defendants face a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison. If convicted of third degree offenses, defendants face a sentence of three to five years in state prison, according to the prosecutor.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carson Givens, Welman B. Crooms and Kelly Andriessen is asked to contact Detective Christopher Guy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443, or local police.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime may contact the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text MONMOUTH plus their tip to 274637; or email a tip through the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of fugitives, according to the press release.
