“Operation Yo-Yo” Yields Arrests and Drug Seizures Across Two States
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson and Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announced the conclusion of "Operation Yo-Yo" a large scale narcotics investigation initiated by the DEA and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.
On May 20, 2021, the Cape May County, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force with the assistance of the Cape May County Regional SWAT team executed a total of four search warrants in Cape May County, which concluded a long-term narcotics investigation into the distribution of cocaine. During the course of this investigation, it was determined that Jorge “YoYo” Goicochea was the leader of this large scale drug distribution network centered in various jurisdictions within Cape May County and Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, along with ties to Puerto Rico.
As of this date, nine individuals were arrested and approximately four and a half kilograms of cocaine have been seized in Cape May County and Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. $28,000 in U.S. currency was also seized and one semi-automatic handgun. The suspected cocaine has an approximate street value in excess of $450,000.
The nine individuals arrested as a result of this investigation:
Jorge L. Goicochea, 47, of Middle Township, New Jersey, was charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, (1st degree); Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute (1st Degree); Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree); Money Laundering (3rd degree), and Possession with intent to distribute Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Goicochea was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Edwin Rivera, 42, of Middle Township, New Jersey, was charged with Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree), Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree); Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree); Money Laundering (3rd degree), and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Rivera was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Vilma Ayala, 41, of Middle Township, New Jersey, was charged with Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree); Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree); Money Laundering (3rd degree), and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Ayala was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Miguel Rivera, 31, of Middle Township, New Jersey, was charged with Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree); Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree); Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree); Money Laundering (3rd degree), and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Rivera was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Arthur Hoyle, 47, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, was charged with Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Hoyle was arrested in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on these charges and was lodged in Beaver County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania.
Charlott Reynolds, 54, of Lower Township, was charged with Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Reynolds was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Timothy E. Hurley, 39, of Upper Township was charged with Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Hurley was released on a summons.
Luis Sierra-Colon, 54, of Wildwood, New Jersey, was charged with Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Sierra-Colon was released on a summons.
Enrique Pella, 30, of Wildwood, New Jersey, was charged with Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) (3rd degree). Pella was released on a summons.
According to Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network carries a possible penalty, if convicted, of life imprisonment with a 25 year period of parole ineligibility. First degree crimes can carry a sentence of between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Second degree crimes can carry a sentence of between 5 and 10 years. Third degree crimes can carry a sentence of between 3 and 5 years, while fourth degree crimes can carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison.
Sutherland commends all of the cooperation and the intensive investigative efforts of all the law enforcement agencies listed below who assisted with this investigation:
Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Cape May County Sheriff's Department, Lower Township Police Department, Middle Township Police Department, Ocean City Police Department, Wildwood Crest Police Department, Wildwood Police Department, North Wildwood Police Department, and Beaver County PA (HIDTA).
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