2006 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

January 25, 2006

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi along with Brian W. Collier, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Gloucester City Police Chief William Crothers announced today that an alleged drug trafficker is in custody after narcotics officers intercepted a major marijuana shipment on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, in Gloucester City, N.J.

Acting on intelligence information, DEA officers/agents worked with members of the local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force to track the shipment from Arizona to a warehouse on Water Street in Gloucester City, where the drugs were delivered Tuesday. After the alleged drug dealer, David John, 37, of Swedesboro, picked up the package in a pickup truck, officers moved in and arrested him. They also arrested Barry Lisnieski, 51, of Manahawkin, who operates a computer and electronics salvage business in the warehouse, and John Martorano, 73, of Collingswood, an employee of Lisnieski.

John is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana in excess of 25 pounds, a first-degree offense carrying a maximum 20-year prison term upon conviction, and Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in excess of 25 pounds, a second-degree offense carrying a maximum 10 years. He is being held in the Camden County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.

Lisnieski and Martorano are charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in excess of 25 pounds. They were released on $2,500 and $1,000 cash bail respectively.

Officers confiscated 220 pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $286,000. They also seized $86,000 cash and a 9 mm handgun from John’s home in the 100 block of Spruce Trail in Swedesboro, as well as three vehicles he owns and a $30,000 bank account.

Investigation indicates John was receiving more than 500 pounds of marijuana per month for distribution in the Philadelphia-South Jersey region.

“This is a great example of proactive law enforcement cooperation,” Sarubbi said. “The results speak for themselves – a major arrest, hundreds of pounds of drugs taken off the street and tens of thousands in alleged drug proceeds seized.”

“This investigation demonstrates what law enforcement agencies can accomplish when they work together at all levels of government and in all regions of the country,” said Collier, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division. “Drug dealers who believe they can profit at the expense of our communities should know they face stiff penalties when law enforcement catches up to them.”

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.