30 Charged in Federal Crackdown on Newark Drug and Firearms Trafficking Ring

Alleged gang-linked network centered in Kretchmer Homes accused of distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine while armed

NEWARK, N.J. — Federal prosecutors have charged thirty individuals with narcotics and firearms offenses in connection with an alleged drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in and around the Kretchmer Homes public housing complex on Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced on June 12.

The defendants face serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 280 grams of cocaine base, as well as a range of weapons offenses. These charges stem from a coordinated investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Seventeen individuals were arrested and appeared in Newark federal court on June 12. Seven others were already in custody on separate charges, one had previously appeared in federal court, and four remain at large.

According to federal authorities, the operation—dubbed the Frelinghuysen DTO—conducted open-air drug sales in the vicinity of the 900 block of Frelinghuysen Avenue and maintained control of its territory through violence and intimidation. Many of the alleged participants are reported to have affiliations with the Bloods street gang and prioritized loyalty to their neighborhood-based network.

“Fentanyl remains the deadliest driver of overdose deaths in our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Habba. “We will have zero tolerance for violent gangs terrorizing our communities, flooding our neighborhoods with drugs and violence.”

The year-long investigation employed wiretaps, undercover drug purchases, surveillance, and phone record analysis. Authorities reportedly seized multiple firearms and approximately 7,000 grams of heroin and fentanyl—an amount potentially lethal to hundreds of thousands of people, according to DEA officials.

“This wasn’t just a bust; it was a life-saving operation,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “As we know, fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of death in drug overdoses and poisonings. The DEA remains committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners, in targeting the drug cartels and those individuals responsible for pushing these deadly drugs into our neighborhoods. We will continue to hold them accountable.”

The enforcement operation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a federal-local partnership launched in 2017 to combat violent crime. It also aligns with Operation Take Back America, a broader U.S. Department of Justice initiative targeting organized crime and transnational criminal networks.

The charges span various statutes, including:

• 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances): 10-year mandatory minimum sentences with possible life imprisonment for most defendants.

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) (Felon in possession of a firearm): Up to 15 years in prison.

• 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime): Five-year mandatory minimum to life imprisonment.

Prosecutors noted that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Thypin-Bermeo and Senior Trial Counsel Robert Frazer of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit.

This operation underscores ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to target violent drug networks that authorities say continue to fuel both the opioid epidemic and gun violence in New Jersey communities.