"MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL INVESTIGATION
TARGETS THE BLOODS GANG IN TRENTON"

The investigation which became “Operation Capital City” is an example of what can be accomplished by law enforcement when law enforcement agencies at all levels work together.

The investigation began in December 2004 with information from the Division of Criminal Justice ABC Unit, regarding cocaine distribution in a bar in Burlington County. The investigation concluded in August 2005 with the arrests of 22 defendants, most of whom are members of various “Bloods” Gang factions. During this investigation, police seized: more than 18 kilograms of powder cocaine; more than 2 kilograms of crack cocaine; 400 decks of heroin; 5 ounces of marijuana; more than $273,000 in cash; other property valued at more than $200,000; 17 firearms, including a .45 caliber Thompson machine gun; three bullet-proof vests; and 7 vehicles.

Operation Capital City was part of Attorney General Peter Harvey’s “Gangs, Guns & Drugs” Initiative. The investigation initially concentrated on narcotics distribution activities by “Bloods” gang members in and around Trenton. The investigation revealed that defendant Carlos Berry, a member of the “Sex, Money, Murder” Bloods faction, was distributing cocaine. A series of undercover purchases of cocaine from Berry led to a wider investigation which identified defendant Ronnie Elder as one of Berry’s suppliers.

As the investigation proceeded, it was discovered that Berry also was being supplied with cocaine by Omar Aikens, a leader of the Bloods “Sex, Money, Murder” faction. Further investigation revealed Aikens’ supplier to be one Hilliuard Smith, a Texas resident who was sending multi- kilogram packages of cocaine to Aikens and others by courier and by overnight package delivery services. Federal authorities seized 2 kilograms of cocaine in Texas and 9 kilograms of cocaine in Louisiana.

After Trenton police officers received threats from members of the “Gangster Killer Bloods,” the investigators focused their attention on that Bloods faction. This portion of the investigation led to the arrest of defendant Bernard Green, a leader of the “Gangster Killer Bloods,” for an attempted murder which occurred during a spate of gang-related violence in Trenton in late August 2005.

Operation Capital City became a success only because dozens of law enforcement officers from government agencies at all levels cooperated unselfishly for six months. This investigation was conducted by members of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Trenton Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Offices of the United States Attorneys for the District of New Jersey and for the Southern District of Texas, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey National Guard. The NJNEOA congratulates those law enforcement agencies for their spirit of cooperation that resulted in such a successful investigation.