Police bust takes down drug ring in the county
Long Branch residents arrested; believed to be gang members

Residents of Long Branch, Eatontown and West Long Branch are among 47 arrested as part of an undercover operation that is credited with bringing down a national narcotics trafficking scheme.

Participating federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies confiscated approximately $1 million worth of cocaine and heroin, guns, bulletproof vests and $95,000 in what has been coined "Operation Honeycomb," according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

"This operation is a classic example of how successful partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement can befit our community," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin.

"Operation Honeycomb successfully identified and arrested the local and national drug distributors and eliminated sources of narcotics destined for the streets of Monmouth County," he said.

The yearlong investigation commenced in the fall of 2006 when an undercover officer purchased large quantities of cocaine from an individual working within the narcotics trafficking network.

Additional investigative tools were then utilized to identify other members of the drug ring as well as their methods of operation, according to the release.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and Gang Investigations Unit, along with U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration - New Jersey Division, New Jersey State Police, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Long Branch, Red Bank, Marlboro, Howell, Keansburg, Neptune and Asbury Park police departments joined efforts in the operation.

The participating law enforcement agencies investigated a narcotics trafficking network, which was responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of cocaine and heroin from their sources across the United States and in and around the Monmouth County area, according to the release.

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 during the operation.

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

The 47 arrested individuals are facing various drug and weapon charges and are being held on bails ranging from $25,000 to $4 million.

Those arrested include 14 Long Branch residents, six Eatontown residents and two West Long Branch residents.

According to the release, "significant" arrests and seizures made during the investigation include Michael Smith, 21, and Barbara Miller, 32, both of Neptune Township, who were arrested Aug. 5 in Long Branch after they were found in possession of approximately 200 grams of cocaine.

Also arrested was Tyson Abel, 31, of Neptune City, who was arrested in Ocean Township Aug. 10 after he was found in possession of nine pounds of cocaine.

According to the release, there were six key participants arrested in connection with their roles in the drug ring, including two Long Branch residents and a Neptune Township man who was arrested in West Long Branch.

Suspected Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation street gang member Alejandro Burgos, 27, was arrested on Sept. 28 at his Long Branch residence at the time of the arrest. He was found in possession of two loaded handguns, two bulletproof vests and approximately 7 ounces of cocaine,

Another suspected Latin King Gang member and Long Branch resident Ramon Rodriguez, 34, was arrested on Sept. 28 and was found in possession of one-half ounce of cocaine.

Neptune Township resident Ricardo Padro, 30, of Neptune, was arrested in West Long Branch was also arrested on Sept. 28 and was found in possession of a loaded handgun and approximately one ounce of cocaine. He is also believed to be a member of the Latin King gang.

Special Agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration New Jersey Division Gerard P. McAleer stated in the release, "Operation Honeycomb is a great example of cooperation among all law enforcement agencies, in particular the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, which took a street level buy a year ago, to the dismantling of an organization that was responsible for transporting and distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine and heroin from California, Florida and New York."