This comes from a Department of Justice press release.https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ten-oed-gang-members-charged-narcotics-conspiracy
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said on Wednesday that it broke up a gang that dealt drugs. A criminal complaint accused them of participating in a conspiracy to traffic narcotics. Six of the defendants also were charged with using guns in furtherance of that conspiracy.
JERRIN PENA, 20, ARIEL OLIVER, 22, JUSTIN DEAZA, 20, WILSON MENDEZ, 19, JOWENKY NUNEZ, 19, BRIAN HERNANDEZ, 22, VICTOR COLON, 24, JOSE GUTIERREZ, 20, ARGENIS TAVAREZ, 22, and NIJMAH MARTE, 21, all from New York City, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, also in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2022, the defendants sold fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana in and around the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The defendants sold drugs to, among others, undercover police officers, and were frequently arrested in possession of drugs packaged for resale.
In addition, PENA, MENDEZ, NUNEZ, HERNANDEZ, COLON, and MARTE each possessed firearms in connection with their drug dealing, and PENA, OLIVER, and NUNEZ regularly posted social media photographs and videos of themselves holding firearms.
On February 24, 2022, DEAZA was arrested in possession of one kilogram of fentanyl.
PENA, MENDEZ, COLON, GUTIERREZ, and MARTE were arrested in Manhattan New York and the Bronx.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, these defendants were members of a gang that distributed many types of illegal narcotics in a Manhattan neighborhood for years. Several of the defendants frequently carried firearms while dealing drugs.
DEA Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley said: “The Own Every Dollar gang used social media to glamorize their drug enterprise, conduct drug transactions and brandish weapons instilling fear in the community. Our drug trafficking investigations have a way of uncovering links to the threat of gun violence and gang-related criminal activity. Today’s arrests exemplify law enforcement’s commitment to law and order and people’s right to live without fear.
Today’s arrests are part of our continued commitment, along with our law enforcement partners, to target narcotics trafficking and firearms use in New York City.”
The alleged gang members appeared before be presented today before the Hon. Barbara Moses, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York. OLIVER, DEAZA, and HERNANDEZ were already in state custody. NUNEZ and TAVAREZ remain at large.