Bloods Gang Members Hit with 400g Fentanyl Charges

Newark’s streets have been hit with a major drug trafficking blow as nine alleged members of the Sex, Money, Murder street gang were charged for their roles in a massive fentanyl distribution ring.

The defendants, including Calvin Swinton, Lance Yarbough, and Jahad Gorsuch, are accused of distributing over 400 grams of the deadly substance in Essex County. The ring was said to operate an open-air narcotics market in Newark’s West End area, the heart of the Bloods gang’s influence.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced the charges, indicating that the defendants faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life behind bars, along with a $10 million fine.

The investigation revealed extensive interactions between the charged individuals, leading to a detailed picture of the drug organization’s operations. Surveillance, controlled purchases, seizures, and telephone records were all instrumental in building the case against these alleged kingpins.

Law enforcement agencies from multiple levels collaborated in this crackdown, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and local police departments. The Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), formed in 2017 to combat violent crime in Newark, played a significant role in this case.

This latest bust is a stark reminder of the relentless efforts by law enforcement to dismantle drug trafficking operations that pose a threat to public safety. The nine defendants are currently in custody, awaiting their initial court appearances.

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