The charges against the defendants include racketeering, promoting organized street crime, conspiracy, maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) production facility, possession of a CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS, distribution of CDS, distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of school property, numerous firearms offenses, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, uttering false government documents, impersonation, hindering apprehension and financial facilitation of criminal activity.
According to the indictment:
The defendants – 11 of whom have been arrested — are charged with being members or associates of the Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), a criminal enterprise operating from April 1, 2020, to Oct. 9, 2023, primarily in Paterson and Lodi. The Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez DTO is a criminal enterprise whose members and associates generated income by maintaining or operating CDS production facilities and distributing CDS.
The New Jersey State Police recovered two firearms and approximately 126 ounces of heroin and 95 ounces of fentanyl from the various mill locations. At each location, the CDS was packaged in or accompanied by thousands of packaged wax folds containing powder in addition to materials consistent with CDS processing and packaging — empty wax folds, wood-handle stamps and ink pads, sifters, grinders, rubber bands, and digital scales. The DTO also procured several car rentals used by the enterprise using fraudulent driver’s licenses and fake identities.
The indictment alleges the defendants concealed their activities from law enforcement. They used mobile telephones; used associates or false identities to rent, lease, and/or buy vehicles and/or residences; used a variety of locations, residences or motor vehicles for packaging, storage, or delivery of controlled dangerous substances; and concealed the profits derived from their sale.
“Enforcement efforts like this are just one way we are working to reduce illicit drug use in our state,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Our Office of the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies is squarely focused on investing in resources and providing support to people battling with addiction and substance abuse disorders. Our multi-disciplinary approach resulted in a 30 percent decline in drug-related deaths last year, according to preliminary numbers on suspected drug deaths from the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, but we must continue the fight.”
The Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR), which houses the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies (NJCARES), is focused on investing in resources and providing support to people battling with addiction and substance use disorders. In addition to programs like Operation Helping Hand, which has partnered law enforcement agencies across New Jersey with peer recovery specialists to connect those they encounter to treatment, OACR relies heavily on community-based organizations funded and supported through Community-Based Violence Intervention and Hospital-Based Violence Intervention grants that intervene in cycles of violence and addiction and address the circumstances that lead to drug use.
“The indictment we’re announcing today charges a large group of people for their roles in operating or participating in the processing and packaging of opioids for sale on the streets of New Jersey,” said Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to keep this poison off our streets. We will hold accountable anyone who engages in this illegal activity.”
“This indictment represents the tireless work by our detectives and law enforcement partners, who dedicated countless hours to bringing those responsible to justice,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “By holding these individuals accountable, we have taken a critical step in dismantling a dangerous Drug Trafficking Network operating in North Jersey. This case underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, preventing further harm, and ensuring that those who threaten public safety face the consequences of their actions.”
The following is a list of defendants charged in the indictment, with the defendants who remain at large marked with an asterisk:
Twenty individuals are currently facing charges of racketeering in connection to a North Jersey opioid mill, according to a report by Insider NJ. The charges stem from a lengthy investigation into the illegal distribution of opioids in the region, which has been a major contributing factor to the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States.
Racketeering is a serious offense that involves engaging in illegal activities as part of an organized criminal enterprise. In this case, the individuals involved are accused of operating an opioid mill, which is a facility where prescription drugs are illegally manufactured and distributed. These operations often involve the production of counterfeit pills that are sold on the black market, contributing to the widespread availability of opioids and fueling addiction and overdose rates.
The charges against these individuals highlight the severity of the opioid crisis and the lengths to which some individuals will go to profit from the suffering of others. The illegal distribution of opioids not only puts individuals at risk of addiction and overdose but also contributes to the overall destabilization of communities and the strain on healthcare systems.
It is crucial that law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on illegal opioid operations and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. By targeting the sources of illegal drugs and dismantling criminal enterprises, authorities can help stem the flow of opioids into communities and prevent further harm to individuals struggling with addiction.
The case of the North Jersey opioid mill serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of addiction and drug trafficking. It is essential that efforts to combat illegal drug operations are supported by increased access to addiction treatment and prevention programs, as well as initiatives to educate the public about the dangers of opioid misuse.
As the legal proceedings against these individuals progress, it is important for communities to remain vigilant and continue working together to address the opioid crisis. By standing united against illegal drug operations and supporting those affected by addiction, we can make strides towards a healthier and safer future for all.
