Operation Honeycomb cracks drug network

FREEHOLD - A Monmouth County grand jury returned five separate indictments against a total of 42 individuals, including a Matawan resident, following a lengthy investigation into a drug distribution and racketeering conspiracy, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Gilbert Lopez, aka "Gilly Gil," 31, of Matawan, was indicted for first-degree racketeering conspiracy on July 16 as a result of an investigation dubbed Operation Honeycomb.

The indictment alleges that the purposes of the racketeering conspiracy included distributing controlled dangerous substances to earn money; organizing and directing subordinate members in the distribution and transportation of controlled dangerous substances; and organizing and directing subordinate members to provide funding to post bail for members of the enterprise who were arrested, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation was initiated in the summer of 2006 and revealed that the racketeering conspiracy was responsible for the transportation and distribution of large quantities of cocaine and heroin throughout parts of New Jersey and New York, according to the press release.

The investigation culminated with a series of arrests in the fall of 2007.

Operation Honeycomb was carried out by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, and the Long Branch, Asbury Park and Neptune City police departments.

Over the course of the investigation, officers seized a total of 32 pounds of cocaine, over 6 1/2 pounds of heroin, three semiautomatic handguns and one revolver, two bulletproof vests and $95,000.

The estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $1 million, according to the release.

Four of the indictments charge a total of the 41 accused with a variety of crimes, including first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second- and third-degree conspiracy and firstand second-degree distribution and possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute, according to the release.

Some of the defendants are also charged with second- and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and with weapons offenses, according to the release.

The fifth indictment charges Latoya Castle, 22, of Long Branch, with second- degree official misconduct and fourth- degree obstructing the administration of law.

The investigation revealed that Castle, in the course of her employment with the Long Branch Police Department, obtained information from police reports and leaked it to one of the suspects in the drug investigation.

"The investigation which led to these indictmentswas complex, thorough, and the result of tremendous cooperation between numerous law enforcement agencies," Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said. "We will continue to work cooperatively with our many law enforcement partners to stop the flow of illegal narcotics in Monmouth County."

Those charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy in addition to Lopez, are: Jose Concepcion, 29, Alejandro Burgos, 28, Daniel Burgado, 23, Ramon Rodriguez, 35, all of Long Branch; Tyson Abel, 32, of Neptune City; Katherine Russo, 25, of Rumson; Ricardo Padro, 31, and Jamie Albrizio, 32, both of West Long Branch; and Michael Smith, 33, of Neptune Township.

The indictment charges the same defendants, together with two additional defendants, with second-degree conspiracy. The two additional defendants are Christine Strauss, 40, of Long Branch, and Barbara Miller, 32, of Neptune Township.

Also charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy are: Edward Santana, 31, formerly of Perth Amboy; Luis Negron, 34, of Carteret; Nicholas Brito, 33, and William Duran Paulino, 27, both of the Bronx, N.Y.; Martha Rosario Chispe, 38, of Panorama City, Calif.; Francisco Morales Chispe, 36, of Los Angeles, Calif.; Stephanie Machuado, 26, of North Hollywood, Calif., and Hector Carabali Cevallos, 36, of the Republic of Ecuador.

Santana has not yet been arrested and remains a fugitive since an arrest warrant was issued for him in September of 2007. Any individual possessing information regarding Santana's current whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Todd Rue of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 1-800- 533-7443.

The indictment charges the same defendants, together with four additional defendants, with second-degree conspiracy. The four additional defendants are: Angel Aviles, 35, and Luis Maldonado, 43, both of Newark; Luz Torres, 46, of Roselle, and Juan Taveras, 39, of New York, N.Y.

Those charged with second-degree conspiracy are: Kojo Sloan, 34, of Asbury Park; Antonio Castro, 24, Leslie Davis, 42, Juan Rivera, 26, and Julio Ruiz, 33, all of Long Branch; Aaron Riley, 23, Sabrina Lipp, 20, and Anna Murphy, 40, all of Eatontown; and Rocco Potts, 39, of Bradley Beach.

Those charged with third-degree conspiracy are: John Moco, 39, Gary Taylor, 39, Kevin Dunn, 45, Anthony Palazzolo, 48, and Jonathan Novoa, 28, all of Long Branch; Jesse Larsen, 24, of Bradley Beach; Gregory Welsh, 29, of Eatontown; and Nicholas Bruno, 47, of West Long Branch.

Upon conviction, the first-degree crimes of racketeering carry a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to life imprisonment. If convicted of the remaining first-degree crimes, the defendants face a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 20 years in state prison.

If convicted, the second-degree crimes carry a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 10 years, the third-degree crimes carry a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to five years, and the fourth-degree crime carries a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 18 months, according to the release.