Six arrested on drugs and weapons charges following Atlantic City investigation
MAYS LANDING, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson, and Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner, announced six individuals have been arrested and charged with narcotics and weapons offenses following a six month investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the DEA – Atlantic City Residence Office of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
On July 2, 2019, the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA, Atlantic County Division, executed six search warrants in Atlantic City, NJ and one in Lindenwold, NJ. The search warrants were the culmination of a six month investigation by the Atlantic County HIDTA into a narcotics distribution network.
During the course of the investigation approximately 2,890 bags of heroin, three pounds of marijuana, four handguns, extended handgun magazines, various firearm ammunition, large amount of U.S. currency, and several vehicles were seized.
“This was a very successful operation," Gibson said. "Any time we can take people off the street involved in drugs and weapons is a benefit to the community. This type of investigation is why Atlantic County is part of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships.”
“The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is grateful for the resources that are available to our community through our membership in the Liberty Atlantic HIDTA. Collaborating with the DEA and other local law enforcement agencies gives us a force multiplier in our efforts to reduce the amount of guns and drugs in our community. Our goal is to disrupt the criminal activity at a higher level, before it ever reaches our streets. Thank you to all of our partners,” Tyner said.
Arrested during the operation was:
- Felix Beltran, Sr., age 38
- Felix Beltran, Jr., age 21
- Kenneth Thompson, Jr., age 20
- Eric Williams, age 21
Those arrested were charged with various drug, weapons and conspiracy charges and were lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
An additional two individuals were charged on a summons and released.
Participating in the execution of the search warrants was the Atlantic County Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA Task Force which is comprised of personnel from the DEA Atlantic City Resident Office, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic City Police Department, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Galloway Township Police Department, Hamilton Township Police Department, Pleasantville Police Department, and the Atlantic County Regional SWAT Team. Other agencies participating in the execution of the warrants was the Linwood Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Atlantic City SWAT Team, FBI, Brigantine Police Department, and the Cape May County SWAT Team.
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