2004
Media Releases:
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA INFORMATION
February 20, 2004
Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi, N.J. State Police Superintendent
Col. Rick Fuentes, Acting Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa,
Camden County Sheriff Michael W. McLaughlin and Delaware River Port
Authority Public Safety Director Vincent J. Borelli reported today
that 19 people were arrested during an undercover drug operation
on Thursday night, Feb. 19, 2004, in Camden, N.J.
The operation, known as a "reversal" because law enforcement officers
pose as drug sellers and arrest would-be buyers, was conducted at
Lake Shore Drive and Denfield Street between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
last night. The defendants were charged with Conspiracy to Possess
a Controlled Dangerous Substance (powder cocaine). The third-degree
charge carries a maximum five years in prison upon conviction. Two
defendants were also charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child
for allegedly bringing minors with them to purchase drugs. Both
were remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility. Three
other defendants were also sent to jail on outstanding warrants.
The operation was a cooperative effort of the Camden County Prosecutor's
Office, the Camden City Police Department, the New Jersey State
Police, the Camden County Sheriff's Office and the Delaware River
Port Authority Police Department.
All of those arrested live outside the City of Camden. Historically,
the majority of defendants arrested in reversal operations have
come from outside the city to purchase illegal narcotics.
"Once again, this drug operation confirms that the drug trafficking
problem extends well beyond the boundaries of Camden," Sarubbi said.
"When 100 percent of those arrested have traveled from the suburbs
to buy illegal narcotics, it is impossible to deny that suburban
demand fuels the Camden drug economy."
Reversals are just one strategy in an array of drug enforcement
techniques that also includes undercover operations targeting drug
sellers, sweeps of known drug trafficking areas or "sets," and long-term
investigations targeting major drug suppliers, Sarubbi noted.
All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent
unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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