32 People Arrested In Massive NJ Drug Bust Dubbed 'Operation Tidal Wave'
TRENTON, NJ (CBS) – NJ State Police announced they've arrested 32 people, including a public works employee and a police officer, in the takedown of two drug rings operating out of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
The investigation, called "Operation Tidal Wave," started back in October 2014 and targeted two drug trafficking organizations in South Jersey.
The first drug ring, the "Scattaglia Network," was reportedly run by Ed Scattaglia, Jr. of Middletown, NJ.
The second organization, the "Beachwood Network," operated in Beachwood Township and the nearby area and was reportedly distributing cocaine, heroin, marijuana and pharamaceutical pills. Officials say they dismantled two "mills" associated with this network, seizing drugs and paraphernalia.
"These ring members allegedly were dealing large quantities of heroin and prescription pills in Monmouth and Ocean counties, which have been particularly hard hit by the devastating epidemic of opiate addiction sweeping the nation and New Jersey," said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. "Through operations such as this one, we are taking aim at the criminals who are maliciously fueling the epidemic and profiting from it."
The following people were arrested and charged as a result of Operation Tidal Wave:
Scattaglia Network
1. Edmund A. Scattaglia Jr. Middletown, NJ (02/24/1976)
Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network - 1st degree, Distribution of Cocaine - 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine - 3rd degree, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia - 4th degree
2. Francisco J Romero - Englewood, NJ (08/04/1977)
Distribution of Cocaine - 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine - 3rd degree.
3. Rick J. Hiemenz - Toms River, NJ (06/30/1981)
Distribution of Cocaine - 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine - 3rd degree.
4. Tabraz Mohammed - Red Bank, NJ (07/24/1980)
Distribution of Cocaine - 2nd degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 2nd degree, Possession of Cocaine - 3rd degree.
5. Mark Ugaro - Middletown, NJ (05/22/1980)
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 2nd degree
6. Scott M. Leander - Keyport, NJ (08/22/1959)
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 2nd degree
7. Michael G. Dietz - Toms River, NJ (07/11/1963)
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 2nd Degree
8. Michael J Ko - Toms River, NJ (12/27/1977)
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine - 2nd degree
9. Armando Calderon - Toms River, NJ (11/16/1972)
Loitering to Purchase Cocaine - DP
10. James J McCann - Ortley Beach, NJ (09/08/1960)
Loitering to Purchase Cocaine - DP
11. William J. Bowes 3rd - Toms River, NJ (11/01/1978)
Loitering to Purchase Cocaine - DP
12. Augusto Deleonardis - Staten Island, NY (12/31/1970)
Loitering to Purchase Cocaine - DP
13. Shawn P Cotter Jr. - Middletown, NJ (04/10/1987)
Possession of Marijuana - DP, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - DP
14. Brian J. Rosenberg – Red Bank, NJ (12/02/1984)
Contempt of Court
15. Qasim H. Mir – Edison, NJ (08/23/1979)
Contempt of Court
Beachwood Network
16. Jose M. Limardo – Newark, NJ (08/17/1992)
Distribution of Cocaine – 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine – 1st degree, Maintaining a Manufacturing Facility for Cocaine – 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine – 1st degree, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia – 3rd degree.
17. Andres M. Genao – Newark, NJ (12/11/1992)
Distribution of Cocaine – 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine – 1st degree, Maintaining a Manufacturing Facility for Cocaine – 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine – 1st degree, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia – 3rd degree.
18. Clarence D Grant, Jr. – Beachwood, NJ (10/07/1983)
Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network – 1st degree, Distribution of Cocaine – 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine – 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine – 3rd degree, Distribution of Prescription Pills – 3rd degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary – 3rd degree.
19. Barry J. McCombs – Seaside Heights, NJ (02/13/1975)
Distribution of Heroin – 3rd degree, Possession of Heroin – 3rd degree, Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of School Property – 3rd degree, Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia – 3rd degree, Possession of Marijuana – DP
20. Jesse Gorman – Toms River, NJ (04/08/1981)
Distribution of Cocaine – 1st degree, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine – 1st degree, Possession of Cocaine – 3rd degree
21. Joseph D. Powers – Toms River, NJ (06/11/1986)
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS – 2nd degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary – 3rd degree.
22. Bobby Hardy – Beachwood, NJ (08/21/1971)
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS – 2nd degree
23. Dennis F. Gargano Jr., Beachwood, NJ (04/24/1973)
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS – 2nd degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary – 3rd degree
24. Patrick J. Cavanaugh Jr. – Bricktown, NJ (01/22/1978)
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS – 2nd degree, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary – 3rd degree, Hindering Apprehension – 3rd degree.
25. Albert E. Logan – Beachwood, NJ (05/29/1987)
Hindering Apprehension – 3rd degree, Loitering To Purchase CDS – DP
26. Matthew R. Van Houten – Pennsauken, NJ (11/20/1986)
Possession of Cocaine – 3rd degree
27. Frank Caruso – Toms River, NJ (07/14/1985)
Possession of Cocaine – 3rd degree
28. Angela Robert – Toms River, NJ (01/04/1982)
Possession of CDS – 3rd degree
29. William T. Hiering 3rd – Seaside Heights, NJ (01/12/1984)
Loitering to Purchase CDS – DP
30. Anthony Alexander – Toms River, NJ (05/04/1985)
Contempt of Court
31. Armando Freitas – 03/21/1988 – Island Heights, NJ – Dist of Marijuana 2nd degree, Poss of Marijuana 3rd Degree, Poss. Of Prescription Pills (Xanax) 3rd Degree, Poss of Steroids 3rd Degree
32. Stefania Dockum – 08/18/1989 – Island Heights, NJ – Dist of Marijuana 2nd degree, Poss of Marijuana 3rd Degree, Poss. Of Prescription Pills (Xanax) 3rd Degree, Poss of Steroids 3rd Degree
Detectives say they also confiscated varying amounts of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax pills, Oxycotin and ecstasy pills, as well as steroids, one handgun, seven cars and more than $125,000 cash.