United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK – Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts, DEA New York Task Force Division, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police announced today the arrests of four Ber

gen County, New Jersey, residents for their roles in a drug trafficking ring and the seizure of $520,000 in cash, distribution quantities of drugs, and weapons.

Kwang Joo, 40, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with first-degree conspiracy as the organizer of a scheme to distribute cocaine, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), Adderall, Xanax, psilocybin, tusi (aka “pink cocaine”), oxycodone, and marijuana. Joo was charged with possession of $520,000 in currency derived from criminal activity, drug possession/distribution, and weapons violations.

Also arrested and charged for their roles in the scheme were Hannah Oh, 29, of Palisades Park; Sung Sohn, 45, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; and Benjamin Oser, 41, of Fort Lee, New Jersey. 

“The arrest of these four individuals for their role in running a drug trafficking operation, which resulted a large seizure of cocaine, firearms, as well as other illicit narcotics, reflects the commitment of the DEA New York Task Force Division, when targeting those individuals and organizations responsible for flooding our communities with illicit narcotics and prescription medication,” said Christopher Roberts, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge. “The DEA New York Task Force, which is made up of DEA Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the NYPD and NYSP, are extremely grateful for the strong collaboration we have with all our law enforcement partners, especially the NJSP and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. The DEA’s mission is clear; save lives and target those who threaten them.”

“Illegal drug trafficking and possession of dangerous weapons continue to be a huge threat to the safety of our residents,” said Attorney General Davenport. “The complaints in this case describe a sophisticated network that was dealing in distribution of cocaine and other dangerous drugs and generating large cash proceeds for the defendants. Public safety is our priority, and working with our law enforcement partners, we will find and take down operations like this.”

“This case underscores the tireless work of our investigators to shut down illegal drug pipelines wherever they may be,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These defendants coordinated a narcotics trafficking scheme that placed lives at risk – but NYPD detectives, together with the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General and our law enforcement partners, worked to keep these dangerous drugs off our streets and hold these criminals accountable.” 

“By arresting these four defendants and seizing their drugs, money, and weapons, we have disrupted a major narcotics scheme,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “The defendants are charged with distributing kilograms of cocaine, prescription drugs, and other narcotics throughout New Jersey. Disrupting these organizations makes all of us safer.”

“Drug trafficking is not just a criminal enterprise—it is a direct engine of violence, tearing at the fabric of our communities and leaving a trail of lives lost in its wake,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “It fuels chaos, empowers those who prey on the vulnerable, and puts public safety at constant risk. But when law enforcement stands united—federal, state, county, and local—we bring the full weight of our collective strength to dismantle these networks, protect our communities, and make it clear that those who profit from destruction will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “It takes months of precise work, close interagency cooperation, and patience to develop the evidence needed in a case like this. The goal is to disrupt the supply chain, get the drugs and weapons out of our neighborhoods, improve lives and most importantly, save lives. To our law enforcement colleagues in New York and New Jersey, thank you for your support, your partnership and for the great work all of you do.”

According to documents filed in this case, beginning in January 2026, the New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking North Unit (DTNU) investigated a drug trafficking organization operating in New Jersey. On January 14, 2026, DTNU detectives observed an individual meet Joo in Palisades Park. Joo allegedly provided the individual with a large black duffle bag and secured it inside the individual’s vehicle. An investigative stop of that vehicle was conducted in Paterson, New Jersey, and a legally authorized search revealed nine kilograms of cocaine in the duffle bag.

The investigation determined that Joo was a large-scale drug trafficker operating a drug trafficking organization (DTO) across the United States. On February 6, 2026, DTNU detectives conducted surveillance of an identified narcotics stash location and one of Joo’s main couriers, identified as Benjamin Oser, who allegedly acquired multiple bags from Joo in Palisades Park. Oser was arrested in Queens, New York, and a search of the vehicle he was operating revealed 14 kilograms of cocaine.

The investigation uncovered other drug transactions involving the four defendants, including Joo providing Sohn with a suitcase that allegedly contained 33 kilograms of cocaine. A court-authorized search of a location believed to be a narcotics stash location used by the conspirators revealed bulk U.S. currency, bulk amounts of cocaine and other drugs, two handguns, a rifle, and large-capacity ammunition magazines.

A total of 57 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of ketamine, 250 grams of tusi (pink cocaine), 880 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), 1,675 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 38,337 Adderall pills, five pounds of marijuana, 332 Xanax pills, 42 oxycodone pills and $520,000 were seized.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Michael Monteleone, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Kevin J. Long, Bureau Chief Brian Carney, and Deputy Director Jillian Carpenter. 

Attorney General Davenport credited the NJSP-DTNU and the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Irvington Police Department, the East Rutherford Police Department, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.

First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree offenses carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.