Rufus Williams, Cocaine Trafficking, New Jersey 2019

TRENTON, N.J. – A massive cocaine trafficking ring has been dismantled in Burlington County, New Jersey, with 20 defendants facing charges for their involvement.

The defendants, including Rufus Williams, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. Williams was also charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, the defendants operated a large-scale narcotics conspiracy that spanned several municipalities in Burlington County, including Willingboro, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Bordentown Township, Edgewater Park, Mount Laurel, and Westampton. Through wiretap orders and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that the defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine and redistributed it to distributors, sub-dealers, and end-users throughout the county and elsewhere.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $10 million. The count charging Williams with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The count charging Williams with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, which must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed on the drug trafficking crime. The count charging Williams with being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Williams and the other defendants were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charges remain pending against the other 11 defendants who were charged in a complaint on September 26, 2019.

The investigation was led by the FBI, ATF, and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from several local police departments. The defendants are expected to face a federal trial in the coming months.

Defendant: Rufus Williams

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm

City and State: Burlington County, New Jersey

Exact Date: Between July 2019 and September 2019

Sentence or Outcome: Charges remain pending

Dollar Amounts: $10 million fine, $1 million fine

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/twenty-defendants-indicted-drug-trafficking-charges-one-defendant-charged-unlawfully