Trenton Heroin Ring Busted: 11 Face Federal Charges

TRENTON, N.J. – Eleven individuals are facing federal charges today after a coordinated takedown of a heroin trafficking ring operating in Trenton and Philadelphia. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced the unsealing of the criminal complaints, alleging a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of the deadly opioid.

The core of the operation, according to federal prosecutors, involved the distribution of “bricks” – bundles of approximately 50 glassine envelopes – of heroin throughout Trenton’s Stuyvesant, Hoffman, and Highland Avenues, extending into Philadelphia’s Barbary Road area. The investigation, spanning from June 2018 to May 2019, utilized court-authorized wiretaps, confidential informants, and controlled purchases to build the case.

Six defendants were arrested today: Alterrick Livingston, Jawaan Foreman, Darryl Young, Paul Beckford, RJ Beckford, and Larry Murphy. They are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert in Trenton federal court this afternoon. Devonte McNeil is currently serving time in state prison and will have his initial appearance at a later date. Two others, Robert Gbanapolor and Duane Paulino-Escalera, were previously charged with related federal crimes; Gbanapolor is detained, while Paulino-Escalera is on pretrial release.

Investigators identified Robert M. Gbanapolor as a key figure, allegedly receiving regular heroin supplies from Duane Paulino-Escalera, whom he referred to as “Papi.” Other central players named in the complaint include Jawaan Foreman, Larry Murphy, and Izae Alford. The organization allegedly moved heroin from the source to distributors, sub-dealers, and ultimately, to users on the streets of Trenton. Intercepted communications revealed discussions about heroin quality, branding, and customer satisfaction – the cold calculus of a deadly business.

Beyond the heroin conspiracy, Jawaan Foreman faces an additional charge of distributing cocaine base on May 8, 2019. The conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carries a statutory minimum of five years in prison, with a potential maximum sentence of 40 years and a $5 million fine. The cocaine distribution charge carries a maximum of 20 years and a $1 million fine. These aren’t victimless crimes; they’re a plague on the city.

The investigation was a joint effort led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, and the Trenton Police Department, with support from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester Township Police Department, N.J. State Police, Bordentown Township Police Department, and other agencies. Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson of the DEA and Police Director Sheilah Coley of the Trenton PD were credited with leading the operation. This bust is just one battle in the ongoing war against the drug trade that continues to ravage communities like Trenton.