Khalif Toombs, Heroin Trafficking, New Jersey 2017

Heroin has been flooding the streets of Atlantic City and surrounding towns, causing numerous deaths and overdoses. The FBI's Safe Streets South Jersey Violent Incident and Gang Task Force, in collaboration with local law enforcement, has been working to dismantle an Atlantic City-based heroin trafficking organization. The organization's leader, Khalif Toombs, has been distributing heroin throughout the area, often using multiple stash houses and drug couriers to re-distribute the heroin.

According to court documents, Toombs obtained his heroin from a supplier in Paterson, New Jersey, and used Atlantic City associates to make frequent trips to Paterson to obtain his resupply of heroin. The investigation revealed that Toombs and his associates were distributing multiple 'stamps,' or brands, of heroin, including 'AK-47,' 'Apple,' 'Fortnite,' 'Rolex,' 'Frank Lucas,' 'Bentley,' 'Pandora,' and '9 ½.'

Between January 1, 2017, and June 21, 2019, drugs with these stamps have accounted for 48 deaths and 84 non-fatal overdoses in New Jersey, according to the N.J. State Police Office of Drug Monitoring and Analysis.

The count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin with which each defendant is charged is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Nineteen defendants were arrested today, one defendant was in custody on previous state charges, and two defendants are not yet in custody.

The defendants arrested today are scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio in Camden federal court. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced the charges today, stating that the defendants have been flooding the streets of Atlantic City and surrounding towns with heroin, often with tragic results.

The FBI's Gregory W. Ehrie said, 'From international terrorists to street level drug dealers, the FBI is committed to keeping you safe. Today's operation should serve as a warning to those thinking of filling the void created by the arrests - we aren’t finished. Our agents are dedicated and persistent.'

Atlantic City Police Chief Henry White Jr. said, 'This is a great day for Atlantic City, and a great day for Atlantic County. The dismantling of an organization that has brought sorrow and anguish to so many families through the distribution of deadly narcotics is a win for the community.'

Khalif Toombs, the organization's leader, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. The exact date of the crime is not specified in the press release, but the investigation spanned from April 2017 to June 2019. The outcome of the case is pending, and Toombs is currently in custody. The dollar amount of the heroin distributed is not specified in the press release.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Safe Streets South Jersey Violent Incident and Gang Task Force, Atlantic City Resident Agency, and FBI, Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ehrie; officers of the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief White; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon Tyner; and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/twenty-two-defendants-charged-takedown-atlantic-city-drug-trafficking-organization