THE "GOODFELLAZ"

Friday, November 7, 2002 started out with over 100 law enforcement officers from a variety of agencies, fanning out through Plainfield and neighborhoods, before dawn, in search of several individuals from a gang, who referred to themselves as the "Goodfellaz." This was the culmination of a three month investigation conducted by Det. Robert Henderson of the Plainfield Police Department, Inv. Martin Lynch and A/P Scott Kraus of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Strike Force, the U.S. Customs Service, the Division of Criminal Justice, N.J. State Police, along with the Plainfield, Berkley Heights, Hillside, Linden, Piscataway and Union Police Departments. The "Goodfellaz" were responsible for home deliveries od cocaine to areas in Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

By the end of the day, nine members of the gang, five juveniles (who helped package and distribute drugs for the gang), and nine other individuals were arrested in this drug conspiracy. Seized as a result of the investigation were: nineteen thousand dollars, three hand guns, two rifles, five ounces of cocaine, three hundred thirty vials of powder and crack cocaine and nine motor vehicles. Also seized was information detailing how the gang conducted business, including how to join the gang, what activities the gang was involved in, paying dues and recruiting new members.

The NJNEOA commends the Union County Prosecutor's Office Narcotic Strike Force, along with the other law enforcement officers and agencies mentioned above, for their spirit of cooperation and their persevering efforts in taking apart a major gang distributing drugs in a multi-county jurisdiction.