Officials Say South Camden Heroin Ring Was Run Like A Corporation
By David Madden
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- More than two dozen people have been rounded up following a nine-month undercover probe in Camden, aimed at taking down a major heroin ring with ties to Latino gangs.
"Operation Billboard" targeted what officials called a "well run" drug organization centered around the corner of 4th and Royden in South Camden.
At the top of the management chart, investigators say, was 43-year-old Noel Gonzalez of Camden, a member of the Netas gang.
" 'Case workers' were responsible for day-to-day operation of the drug distribution activities, including the transfer of narcotics proceeds to and from Gonzalez and street level 'set managers,' " says New Jersey attorney general Jeffrey Chiesa. "The set managers had direct oversight of the 'trappers,' or dealers."
Twenty-six of the 41 suspects are in custody, including two of Camden's Ten Most Wanted, suspected in a number of violent area crimes including murders.
