News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2007
For further Information Contact:
Special Agent Douglas S. Collier,
Public Information Officer
TEL: (973) 776-1143
CEL: (862) 849-9833

DEA New Jersey Division and Burlington County Law Enforcement Agencies Execute "Operation Whirlwind" with Arrests, Drug Seizures, Cash, Weapons and Vehicles

OCT 9 -- (NEWARK) - Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA New Jersey Division, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi in conjunction with Burlington City Police Chief John Lazzarotti, Jr. and Chief Law Enforcement Officers of multiple agencies announced today details concerning the execution of 31 arrest warrants charging numerous defendants with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances and related charges within Burlington County.

The investigation, named Operation Whirlwind began in February of 2007 following information developed by members of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Burlington City Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Camden Resident Office. The intelligence gathered revealed that a large scale drug distribution operation was being conducted in Burlington County, NJ and centered in Burlington City. The investigation uncovered the suspects responsible for distributing quantities of powder and crack cocaine.

In August and September, 2007, 35 arrest warrants were issued by the NJ Superior Court. In addition, search warrants were issued for 4 motor vehicles owned or operated by the suspects and 3 residences utilized by the suspects.

Search warrants were executed at the following locations in Burlington and Camden Counties: 227 Penn Street, Burlington City, NJ, the residence of Mark McNeil, 318 Penn Street, Burlington City, NJ, the residence of John Rasberry and 5049 Homestead Avenue, Pennsauken, N.J., the residence of Demetrius Cope.

The search warrants resulted in the seizure of 5 guns including a Glock .45 Caliber handgun, a Mossberg pistol grip 12 gauge shotgun, a .380 semi automatic handgun, a .38 caliber revolver and a Ruger 10-22 caliber rifle. In addition, drug paraphernalia including money counters, scales and packaging materials were confiscated. Investigators also seized several computers and high-end televisions along with $4,250.00 in cash, 431 grams of crack cocaine, estimated street value of $21,550.00, 126 grams of powder cocaine, estimated street value of $6300.00 and 2 pounds of marijuana, valued at approximately 4,500.00.

Investigators confiscated 14 motor vehicles in connection with this investigation. The vehicles are described as: follows: 1997 Ford Explorer; 1992 Honda Civic; 1997 Nissan Sentra; 2005 Subaru Legacy; 1986 Olds Cutlass; 2005 Chevy Colorado pickup; 2005 Chevy Colorado pickup; 2004 Buick LeSabre; 2001 Mercedes Benz C320; 1998 Lexus ES3000; 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and a 1991 Honda Accord.

Approximately 75 law enforcement personnel participated in the investigation throughout the operation. Special Units of the New Jersey State Police and DEA also supplied specially trained members of their organizations along with high tech equipment that were instrumental in the success of the operation.

The charge of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance in a quantity in excess of ½ oz. is a Second Degree offense that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

The charge of possession of cocaine in excess of 5 ounces is a crime of the 1st degree, which exposes the defendants to 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison and fines up to $500,000.

The defendants are identified as follows: Demetrius Cope age 38 of 5049 Homestead Ave., Pennsauken, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity of more than 5 oz.; John Rasberry, age 37, 318 of Penn Street, Burlington City, N.J., charged with Conspiracy and 2nd degree Possession with Intent To Distribute Cocaine; Mark McNeil, age 39, of 227 Penn Street, Burlington City, NJ, charged with 1st Degree Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity of more than 5 oz; Michael Chase, age 54 of 316 Jones Ave., Burlington City, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity greater than ½ oz. but less than 5 oz; Donald Knapp, age 53 of 239 High St., Burlington City, NJ , charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity less than ½ oz.; Anthony Blacker, age 29, of 28 W. Third St., Florence, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity greater than ½ oz. but less than 5 oz.; Priscilla Sanchez, age 24 of 28 W. Third St., Florence, NJ, Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute

Cocaine in a quantity greater than ½ oz. but less than 5 oz.; Jesse Mason, age 66, of 97 West 9th Street, Burlington City, N.J., charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity greater than ½ oz. but less than 5 oz; Juanita McHugh aka “LuLu”, age 46 of 323 Jones Ave., Burlington City, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity less than ½ oz: Carl W. Caruso, age 37 of 225 W. Union St., Burlington City, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity less than ½ oz; Darlene Henley, age 42, of 444 St Mary St., Burlington City, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity less than ½ oz; Patricia Curtain, age 51, of 3 Library St., Burlington City, NJ , charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity greater than ½ oz. but less than 5 oz.: Gary Soult, age 54, of 24 Thornton Place, Mt. Holly, NJ, charged with Conspiracy and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a quantity less than ½ oz:

The investigation and arrests were conducted by federal, state, county and municipal police agencies, including the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Bordentown Township Police, Burlington City Police, Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, Burlington Township Police, Delran Township Police, Department of Defense Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Edgewater Park Police, Evesham Township Police, Lumberton Township Police, Moorestown Township Police, Mount Laurel Township Police, Mount Holly Township Police, New Jersey State Police, Pemberton Township Police, Willingboro Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Pennsauken Police Department and the Camden County Sheriff’s Department.

Despite Indictment or being charged in a criminal complaint, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

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