10/30/2021- 12:35 p.m.
Twenty-four people have been arrested and more than 4 kilograms of cocaine seized following a four-month investigation into cocaine distribution in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties with ties to New York City, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday night.
“During the course of these investigations, approximately 50 additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force on a full-time basis,” Billhimer said. “Multiple agencies – both within and outside of Ocean County —assisted in every aspect of all three investigations.”
Billhimer said three cocaine networks were responsible for the import of more than three kilograms of cocaine per week into the three counties, and were led by the following people: Luis Feliz, 41, of New York; James Hemenway, 43, of Morganville; Dale McCord, 44, of Manalapan; Mark Capichana, 54, of Hazlet; Mark Kelber, 44, of Manalapan; and Andrew Contaldi, 47, of Brick.
The investigations involved sophisticated surveillance methods and undercover operatives and culminated in the execution of 24 search warrants and arrests on Tuesday, he said.
Authorities seized more than 4 kilograms of cocaine; more than 15 pounds of marijuana; in excess of $650,000 in cash; seven firearms: three handguns, three “ghost guns,” and one pistol grip shotgun; 10 vehicles, and additional illegal narcotics, Billhimer said.
The following people were arrested and charged, the prosecutor’s office said:
Feliz, 41, of New York, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; and financial facilitation. Feliz is presently in custody in New York City, pending extradition to New Jersey.
Hemenway, 43, of Morganville, also known as “King James,” was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of MDMA in an amount greater than one-half ounce with intent to distribute; possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of psilocybin mushrooms; two counts of financial facilitation; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hemenway is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
McCord, 44, of Manalapan, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute; possession of psilocybin mushrooms; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a weapon during controlled dangerous substance activity; certain person not to possess a firearm; three counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine; and two counts of financial facilitation. McCord is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Capichana, 54, of Hazlet, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility; possession of cocaine; and financial facilitation. Capichana is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Kelber, 44, of Manalapan, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; two counts of possession of marijuana; possession of oxandrolone; possession of trenbolone; possession of drostanalone; possession of mesternolone; possession of drug paraphernalia; and certain person not to possess a firearm. Kelber is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Contaldi, 47, of Brick Township, was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; six counts of distribution of cocaine; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; and financial facilitation. Contaldi is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Andre Johnson, 45, of Freehold. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility; financial facilitation; and witness tampering. Johnson is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Brian Contey, 41, of Brick Township. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Contey is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Tyrone Finch, 36, of Parlin, Sayreville. He was charged with possession of cocaine in an amount greater than 5 ounces with intent to distribute; conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce; possession of cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; financial facilitation; possession of a weapon during controlled dangerous substance activity; certain person not to possess a firearm; and possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine. Finch is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Alex Johnson, 47, of Brick Township. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
George Sirleaf, 47, of Keyport. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
Terrence Brown, 44, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
Irene Patelaros, 46, of Morganville. She was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
John Dolan, 46, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
Shawn McCord, 25, of Matawan. He was charged on a warrant with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce, and released pursuant to New Jersey Bail Reform.
Daniel Jeandron, 41, of Keyport. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Alexander Nagy, 42, of Laurence Harbor. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
John Sozomenou, 46, of Matawan. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Joseph Horvath, 33, of Toms River. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Christopher Lyons, 42, of Matawan. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Robert Dazinski, 59, of Hazlet. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Diana Roman-Porpora, 54, of Howell. She was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Bobbie Parsells, 42, of Keyport. She was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
Daniel Votapek, 36, of Point Pleasant. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in an amount greater than one-half ounce and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.
“An investigation of this magnitude requires the cooperation of numerous law enforcement agencies and officers,” Billhimer said. “Law enforcement officers at the local, county, state, and federal levels demonstrated outstanding teamwork in connection with this very wide-ranging, comprehensive investigation.
“This team of professionals literally worked around the clock for the last several months with a singular goal in mind: removing dangerous drug dealers from our streets. I am so grateful for the resolve and dedication exhibited by all the Officers and Detectives involved in ‘Operation Checkmate,’ ” Billhimer said.
