2003
Media Releases:
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA INFORMATION
March 10, 2003
Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi, joined by officials
from federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies,
today announced that a long-term, cooperative investigation into
drug trafficking in the City of Camden and surrounding communities
resulted in the arrest Saturday night of five men and one woman
and the seizure of 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of cocaine. The cocaine
has an estimated street value of $4.5 million.
Arrested at approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2003, at
a residence in the 10000 block of Helmer Street in Northeast Philadelphia
were:
-
Raymond Morales, 30, of the 400 block of North 37th Street, Pennsauken,
N.J.
- William
Carrera, 49, of the Helmer Street address
- Francisco
Gonzalez, 43, of the Helmer Street address
- Alma
Ramos, F/39, of Tucson, Ariz.
- Luis
M. Flores, 37, of the 500 block of Rising Sun Avenue, Philadelphia
-
Peter M. Mellor, 42, of Tucson, Ariz.
Philadelphia authorities charged the defendants with Possession with
the Intent to Distribute Cocaine. They were held in lieu of $30 million
bail each.
In addition, the District of New Jersey, U.S. Attorney's Office, is
reviewing the case in anticipation of filing federal charges against
these defendants.
The following agencies participated in the investigation:
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office, Philadelphia/Camden High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, New Jersey State Police Camden Anti-Crime
Partnership, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia
Police Department, Camden Police Department, New Jersey Division of
Criminal Justice, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Camden County
Sheriff's Department, Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Vineland Police Department,
Pennsauken Police Department and the New Jersey National Guard Counter-Drug
Program.
The cocaine was allegedly smuggled into the United States from Mexico,
routed through Arizona and brought into the Philadelphia region for
distribution and retail sale in Camden and other South Jersey communities
- including Deptford, Vineland, Pennsauken - as well as in Philadelphia.
The quantity seized is enough to package 225,000 bags to be sold at
$20 each on the street.
At a joint news conference today with other agency heads, Sarubbi
stated that the drugs were found in a Dodge pickup truck at the Helmer
Street address. A toolbox in the truck bed contained some tools on
top but also had concealed compartment underneath where the cocaine
was discovered.
The prosecutor stated that Morales is an alleged wholesaler of cocaine,
selling in quantity to other dealers, and also supervises some open-air
drug markets in Camden himself. Sarubbi added that the investigation
lasted approximately 1½ years.
All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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