North Jersey Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 18 Years in Prison

Newark Man Receives 210-Month Sentence for Major Drug Distribution and Firearm Charges

NEWARK, NJ – In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking in Essex County, Furad Loyal, 42, of Newark, has been sentenced to 210 months in prison for his involvement in a heroin distribution network. Announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, the sentencing took place on February 21, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against drug-related crime in the region.

Loyal faced conviction at trial on May 9, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over a kilogram of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. While he was acquitted on a charge related to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, the conviction underscores his deep involvement in the narcotics trade.

Operating within the New Community Corporation community development in Newark, Loyal was identified as a key heroin supplier for a drug trafficking organization. This group, implicated in narcotics distribution around Hayes Street and 14th Avenue, was notorious for its shared resources and customer base. Loyal's arrest on November 21, 2017, in an apartment laden with heroin, a firearm, and significant cash, highlighted his central role in the operation.

This case's resolution follows the charging of Loyal and 27 other individuals in 2018, relating to their participation in the heroin and cocaine distribution network. The collective plea of guilt by the other defendants attests to the extensive nature of this drug trafficking organization's activities.

Judge Wigenton's sentence also includes a five-year term of supervised release, reflecting the seriousness of Loyal's crimes. The successful outcome of this case is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the FBI, Newark Department of Public Safety, and several other federal, state, and local agencies under the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). Launched in August 2017, the VCI aims to address violent crime in Newark and its surroundings, demonstrating the commitment of multiple agencies to ensure community safety.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine K. Lou and Christopher D. Amore, representing the government, have played crucial roles in securing this sentencing. Their efforts, alongside the collective action of involved law enforcement and judicial entities, underscore a robust response to narcotics distribution and violent crime in Essex County.