Police Crack Down on Jersey Shore Multi-Million Heroin Distribution Ring

Monmouth County Prosecutors cracked down on a multi-million dollar heroin distribution ring leading to the arrest of 52 people.

The arrest came after the completion of an eight month investigation, titled Operation Hats Off, after the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office received tips of gang activity and heroin distribution in the Jersey shore area.

Operation Hats Off targeted members of the Fruit Town Brims, a subset of the Bloods street gang, and their affiliates, who prosecutors allege were responsible for selling approximately 200 bricks of heroin.

MCPO states the street value of the heroin trafficked during the investigation exceeded $2 million.

The 52 individuals arrested for the heroin distribution ring included three primary suppliers, who arranged for the purchase and transportation of the heroin out of Essex County.

Prosecutors allege the primary suppliers of the heroin were Hassain Jenkins, 39, of Orange; Roger Barber, 40, of Newark; and Louis Pennington, 29, of Long Branch.

During the course of the investigation, a significant amount of heroin and weapons were seized.

On Monday, Nov. 19, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 100 bricks of heroin from an automobile in Eatontown during a routine vehicle stop, according to a press release issued by the MCPO.

On Thursday, Dec. 13, law enforcement officers stopped Jenkins and Barber on the eastbound side of Route 36 in Tinton Falls. During that stop, officers recovered two packages, each containing 100 bricks of heroin. Jenkins and Barber were charged with narcotics-related offenses and remain incarcerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in lieu of bail.

Officers raided an Atlantic Avenue apartment in Long Branch on Thursday, Dec. 13. While executing the search warrant, officers recovered 130 bricks of heroin valued at $130,000, as well as $10,000 cash, according to a press release issued by the MCPO.

Three individuals at the residence – Michael Marshall, 62 of Long Branch; Tau Kamau, a.k. “Kevin Smith,” 40, of Long Branch; and Ronald Daniels, Sr., 42, of Long Branch – were charged with narcotics-related offenses and also remain incarcerated at MCCI.

Searches simultaneously executed on Monday at residences located at Rustic Drive in Ocean Township and Fourth Street in Highlands resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of narcotics, firearms and cash.

Source : Long Branch Patch