Nineteen Members of Jersey City Gang Charged in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Federal, state, and local law enforcement collaborated on a months-long wiretap investigation centered on the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, uncovering widespread narcotics distribution.

NEWARK, N.J. — Nineteen individuals identified as members and associates of a Jersey City street gang tied to the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex have been charged with participating in an extensive drug trafficking conspiracy, according to an announcement made Wednesday, September 3, 2025, by Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba.

The federal complaint alleges that the defendants were involved in distributing significant quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, heroin, PCP, and various prescription drugs in and around the Salem Lafayette public housing community. The charges stem from a multi-agency investigation that utilized wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, and other investigative tools over several months.

The charged individuals include Isaiah West, Jamantay Gaines, Curtis Felder, Dorian Garrett, William Washington, Aamir Thomas, Nareef Frimpong, Reakwon Harvey, Pedro Torres, Najon Pettiford, Desmar Rivers, Stephon Turner, Tyler Thornton, Christopher Maldonado, Keiyan Golden, Cornell Bell, Serge Rodriguez, Gerard Crawford, and Alfred Reaves. Sixteen of the nineteen defendants were arrested Wednesday morning and were scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court that afternoon. One suspect was already in custody on unrelated state charges, and two remain at large.

“These defendants are charged with operating a drug trafficking organization that poisoned the community of Jersey City with their distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, PCP, and several other narcotics.” - Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba

Federal authorities stated that a core group of the defendants—primarily young men residing in Jersey City—are affiliated with a neighborhood gang known as "SaLaf," a name derived from the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex. This group allegedly oversaw hundreds of narcotics transactions, many of which were observed directly by law enforcement. Surveillance and evidence gathering reportedly documented consistent drug activity both within the complex and in the surrounding neighborhoods.

According to investigators, the group operated as an organized drug trafficking organization (DTO), sourcing narcotics from additional defendants including Bell, Rodriguez, Crawford, and Reaves. These individuals are believed to have supplied the SaLaf group with fentanyl, crack cocaine, PCP, and other controlled substances for street-level distribution.

“DEA New Jersey continues to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in targeting those drug trafficking organizations and their members who are responsible for the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and firearms in our communities” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “As we have seen, many of these individuals use violence to conduct their illicit drug and gun trafficking business which often has senseless and deadly consequences.”

The charges filed include conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, triggering federal sentencing guidelines that carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years, along with a potential fine of up to $5 million.

This case was investigated by a coalition of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.