Suspects in drug network indicted
Rumson man faces charges for buying cocaine
Two Long Branch men and one Rumson man are among 24 individuals facing various offenses after a yearlong investigation into a cocaine distribution network.

On Oct. 29, a Monmouth County grand jury returned a 28-count indictment that charged 24 individuals with various offenses, including the first-degree crimes of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

The charges also included the second-degree crimes of conspiracy and possession of a firearm in the course of committing a drug offense, and the third degree crime of endangering the welfare of a child.

The return of the indictment was the culmination of a nearly yearlong investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately $100,000 in cash and more than 35 pounds of cocaine with a street value in excess of $1 million, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration - Newark Division, New Jersey State Police, Asbury Park Police Department, Wall Police Department and Neptune Township Police Department.

The investigation revealed that from January through April, Francisco Morales, 38, who utilizes residences in Asbury Park and Neptune Township, was distributing more than 2 pounds of cocaine per week with the assistance of John Spinks, 32, of Asbury Park, according to the report.

Morales and Spinks regularly sold significant quantities of cocaine to several individuals, including Bruce Buchanan, 55, and Howard Kamph, 34, both of Long Branch and William Leroy, 43, of Rumson, according to the release.

Buchanan, Kamph and Leroy are being charged as conspirators, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Also facing conspirator charges are the following: Clinton Alexander, 25, of Asbury Park; John Deandrade, 39, of Harrison; Christina Bailoni, 44, of Asbury Park; Martin Vargas, 36, and Lazaro Alvarez, 50, both of Neptune Township.

The investigation also revealed that during that period of time, Morales and Spinks were supplied with significant quantities of marijuana by Andre Ogilvie, 29, of Neptune Township.

On March 6, the investigation revealed that Morales intended to purchase a significant quantity of cocaine. The investigation further revealed that Morales and his common-law wife, Debbie Montezuma, provided Jose Ochoa, 51, with $22,500 in U.S. currency with which to purchase more than 2 pounds of cocaine. Ochoa and his wife, Theresa Ochoa, both of Neptune Township, drove to the Lakewood residence of Eliseo Ixtas-Carillo, 32, to purchase the cocaine.

Participating law enforcement officers subsequently arrested the Ochoas following a lawful stop and search of their vehicle in Neptune Township after returning from Lakewood. Cocaine was recovered from the vehicle, according to the release.

During the latter part of the investigation, John Figueroa, 34, and Julio Ramos, 29, were identified as significant suppliers of cocaine to Morales and other drug traffickers both in and outside of Monmouth County.

On March 22, participating law enforce- ment officers observed Ramos driving to the Spring Lane Motel in Elizabeth and park his vehicle. Law enforcement personnel observed a person identified as Jorge Rodriguez, 19, exit the motel carrying a black suitcase.

Rodriguez approached Ramos' vehicle and then placed a suitcase containing approximately 33 pounds of cocaine in the rear of the vehicle. As a result, Ramos and Rodriguez were charged.

Further investigation at the Ramos' residence on Bruen Avenue in Irvington yielded the seizure of a Ruger handgun and a smaller quantity of crack cocaine.

The following individuals were also at the residence and were identified as conspirators who had contributed monies with which to purchase the 33 pounds of cocaine: Gregory Bibb, 32, and Gerrard Knox, 33, of Newark; Gerrard Brown, 40, of Willingboro; Peter Muniz, 27, of Newark; Mark Kelber, 30, of Hazelton, Pa., and Roberto Jimenez, 35, of Miami, Fla.

At the time of their arrest, Bibb was a special Newark police officer and Muniz was a recruit with the Newark Fire Department who had recently graduated from the fire academy.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin stated, "This investigation and the resulting arrests exemplify the goals of this office to not only target significant drug dealers operating in Monmouth County, but their suppliers as well."

If convicted of the first-degree distribution charges, Morales, Ochoa, Ramos, Figueroa and Rodriguez face up to 20 years in prison. The remaining defendants face imprisonment of up to 10 years on the second-degree conspiracy charge. The case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutor James E. Jones Jr.