“Ocean County's "Ma Barker of Cocaine”

           On September 5, 2007 the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received a report of a home-invasion that took place at a Fifth Street residence in Cambridge Estates. The owner of the residence, Yasmeya Mehmeti, age 23, told authorities that she, her father-in-law Kadrush Mehmeti and a 16-year-old resident were awakened by three men carrying handguns and shielding their faces with clothing. They demanded money, and when she didn't cooperate, one of the bandits fired off a round. They were then tied up and interrogated for four hours regarding the location of drugs and money. When she did not cooperate, they burned her with a knife heated up by a flame on the stove. The robbers then left with $200 given to them by Yasmeya Mehmeti after they took turns ransacking the home in search of more cash and drugs. The individuals then fled in a 2007 Mercedes Benz owned by Mehmeti. It was found abandoned a few blocks awa. Kadrush Mehmeti later freed himself and summoned police.
           Pursuant to this report, Yasmeya Mehmeti became the target of a narcotics investigation by the prosecutor's Special Investigation Unit and Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Stafford and State Police. The home invasion brought to light some issues about Mehmeti's activities in the Barnegat area. The investigation identified an organization that employed runners who would distribute cocaine to buyers from many southern Ocean County towns.
           Subsequently, on October 11th Yasmeya Mehmeti was stopped in her 2007 Mercedes Benz and taken into custody. Seized from her vehicle were more than five ounces of cocaine — in powder and rock form — with a street value of about $17,000, along with two firearms, one that was defaced and the other with hollow-point bullets.
           In addition, authorities arrested a Virginia resident and two other people who lived with Mehmeti, including her father-in-law, who were identified as "runners" for Mehmeti. They were arrested in and around Mehmeti's Fifth Street home which was equipped with surveillance cameras to detect the arrival of intruders or law enforcement.
           Mehmeti was charged with multiple counts of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it, possession of a firearm during a drug transaction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of hollow-point bullets and maintaining a fortified structure. Superior Court Judge Barbara Ann Villano set bail for her at $485,000 cash.
           Kadrush Mehmeti, 60, was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was released after being issued a summons.
           Also arrested were Tyrone Garcia, 19, who also lived in the house, charged with one count of employing a juvenile in a drug scheme and multiple counts of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and Nina K. Murray, 26, of Richmond, Va., charged with multiple counts of cocaine distribution.Garcia's bail was set at $140,000 and Murray's bail was set at $40,000.
           A total of twenty-five individuals were arrested and charged as being co-conspirators in this cocaine distribution network.
           The New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association congratulates the officers of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit, the Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Stafford Police Departments and the New Jersey State Police for their foresight, diligent efforts and perseverance in this outstanding investigation.