“THE STING”

From January through May, 2005, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey. This organization was suspected of distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine and heroin in and around Union County.

In January 2006, the Union County Narcotic Strike Force commenced an electronic surveillance investigation referred to as “Operation Blockbuster.” Shortly thereafter, the first of thirteen Wiretap Orders was signed authorizing the interception of communication between members of this organization and suppliers to the organization.

As case detective, Detective Justin Marranca of the Union County Narcotic Strike Force, worked closely with Assistant Prosecutors Thomas Isenhour and Scott Kraus in order to bring the job to a successful conclusion.

The investigation revealed that Tyshan Jones and Equan Robinson were involved in the distribution of wholesale and street level quantities of heroin and cocaine in Union County and as far out as Connecticut. The investigation further revealed that they had several major suppliers from whom they obtained large quantities of heroin and cocaine which were then cut, re-packaged and distributed. The investigative staff immediately targeted this network and prepared a simultaneous investigation targeting this multi-national organization with direct involvement in the importation of cocaine and heroin from Colombia into the United States.

Six weeks into the initial investigation, Detective Marranca, as well as numerous municipal police officers and other members of the Narcotic Strike Force, coordinated an effort to surveil and arrest Jones and Robinson as they returned from purchasing 250 grams of cocaine in Newark, New Jersey. Four search warrants were executed with five individuals arrested. Nearly 500 grams of cocaine and 100 grams of raw heroin were seized.

On March 24, 2006, following the interception of several significant conversations and countless hours of surveillance, an additional 10 search warrants were executed which resulted in the seizure of over three kilograms of raw heroin, and over a kilogram of cocaine as well as nine arrests.

The investigation then continued with focus on the suspected supplier of the three kilograms of heroin, Robert Oviedo, which had been recovered at the residence of Alex Heredia. Apprehending this target became particularly difficult because the target used extensive counter-surveillance techniques, and was extremely disciplined in his conversations.

Operation Blockbuster concluded on May 8, 2006, resulting in a total of 20 search warrants, 21 arrests, and the seizure of one kilogram of cocaine and 3500 grams of heroin, more than $70,000 in United States Currency and five vehicles.

The investigative team was the combined effort of 18 separate municipalities and county agencies involved in supplying monitors and surveillance units in order to uncover the full scope of the drug conspiracy.

Although many officers contributed to the successful outcome of the investigation, the principal officers were: Lt. Lester Swick; Sgt. Keith Franklin; Dets. Justin Marranca, Margarita D’Avella; Assistant Prosecutors Thomas Isenhour and Scott Kraus.

The NJNEOA commends those officers and prosecutors on their tireless efforts, performance, attitude, initiative and team spirit which resulted in such a successful narcotic investigation.