24 Charged In Multi-Agency Narcotics Investigation
Sunday, June 8, 2025, 6:00 P.M. ET. 9 Minute Read, By The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, & Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,
ELIZABETH, NJ.- A long-term, multi-agency investigation culminated in a coordinated narcotics enforcement operation that led to the arrest of 24 individuals and the seizure of a substantial quantity of illegal drugs, firearms, and cash, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Linden Police Chief David Hart announced today.
Multi-Law Enforcement Agencies
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence and Narcotics Division, along with officers from the Linden Police Department, Roselle Police Department, Rahway Police Department, Elizabeth Police Department, Union County Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Cranford Police Department, Summit PoliceDepartment, Kean Police Department, Berkeley Heights Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Scotch Plains Police Department, Union Police Department, Woodbridge Police Department, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County SWAT, Newark SWAT, Essex County SWAT, and Union County SWAT, executed 14 search warrants across multiple locations. These locations included Linden, Roselle, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Rahway, East Orange, Newark, and Avenel.
The expansive operation was the result of a comprehensive investigation by the Intelligence and Narcotics Division and the Linden Police Department Narcotics Bureau targeting a drug distribution network operating mainly in Linden and Roselle.
Contraband Seized
The execution of the search warrants yielded substantial seizures, including:
• $81,559 in United States currency
• 6 handguns
• 431 grams of suspected powder cocaine
• 73 grams of suspected crack/cocaine
• 2,149 prescription pills
• 500 prescription Xanax pills
• 32 fluid ounces of Promethazine
• 19 pounds of suspected marijuana
• 22 grams of suspected heroin
• 16 folds of suspected heroin
• 127 grams of suspected methamphetamine
• 112 grams of cutting agents used to process CDS
• Drug paraphernalia used for packaging CDS
• Drug paraphernalia used to operate a drug mill
Investigation Yields 24 Arrests
In total, 24 individuals were arrested during the operation, while one individual is already in custody on prior charges and will face new charges in connection with this investigation.
Individuals Arrested and Charged:
• Hamid Holloway, age 44, of East Orange:
o First-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, 2C:35-5(A)(1) and 2C:35-5(B)(1)
o Second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, 2C:39-7(B)
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, 2C:35-5(A)(1) and 2C:35-5(B)(2)
o Two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances crime, 2C:39-4.1
o Three counts of third-degree possessing a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:35-10(A)(1)
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5- 2A(2) and 2C:35-5
o Fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, 2C:39-3(J)
• Steve Dale, age 42, of Elizabeth:
o First-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(1)
o Second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, 2C:39-7B(1)
o Three counts of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing controlled dangerous substances offense, 2C:39-4.1(a)
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5- 2A(1) and 2C:35-5
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10a(1)
o Third-degree possession of a firearm without a serial number, 2C:39-3(N)
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of school property, 2C:35-7
o Two counts of fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, 2C:39-3(J)
• Khylah Brown, age 28, of Elizabeth:
o First-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(1)
o Three counts of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing controlled dangerous substances offense, 2C:39-4.1(a)
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10a(1)
o Third-degree possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances within 1000 feet of school property, 2C:35-7
o Third-degree possession of a firearm without a serial number, 2C:39-3(N)
o Two counts of fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, 2C:39-3(J)
• Brian Perez, age 34, of Elizabeth:
o First-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility, 2C:35-4
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(10)(B)
o Two counts of second-degree possession with intent to distribute controlled
dangerous substances within 500 feet of public property, 2C:35-7.1A
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(2) and 2C:35-5
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(3)(B)
o Fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine, 2C:39-3J
• Diane Oreilly, age 64, of Roselle:
o First-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility, 2C:35-4
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances CDS, 2C:5-2A(2) and 2C:35-5
• Joel Coupaud, age 70, of Roselle:
o First-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility, 2C:35-4
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Michael Giles, age 44, of Roselle:
o First-degree maintaining/operating a narcotics production facility, 2C:35-4
o Disorderly Persons use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, 2C:36-2A
• Ildefonso Colon, age 28, of Roselle:
o Two counts of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5b(10)(b) and 2C:35-5B(4)
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property, 2C:35-7A
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:5- 2A(2) and 2C:35-5
o Two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:35-10(A)(1)
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(13)
o Three counts of fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:35-10A(2) and 2C:35-5B(14) and 2C:35-10A(3)(B)
• Sean Kelly, age 32, of Elizabeth:
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(2)
o Three counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:35-10A(1)
o Two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(5) and 2C:35-5B(3)
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:5- 2A(2) and 2C:35-5
• Edward Fish Jr., age 46, of Plainfield:
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(4)
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, 2C:35-7.1A
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(1)
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5- 2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Jessica Montes-Bustillo, age 25, of Elizabeth:
o Second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances offense, 2C:39-4.1A
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, 2C:35-7.1A
o Second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons, 2C:39-7B(1)
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(11)(B)
o Fourth-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(3)
• Anthony Brown, age 31, of Elizabeth:
o Second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substances offense, 2C:39-4.1A
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, 2C:35-7.1A
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(11)(B)
o Fourth-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(3)
• Eugene Doss, age 44, of Avenel:
o Second-degree possession of a prescription legend drug with intent to distribute, 2C:35-10.5A(4)
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5- 2A(1) and 2C:35-5
o Fourth-degree possession of a prescription legend drug, 2C:35-10.5E
o Fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, 2C:35-10A(2)
o Fourth-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(14)
• Jevaughn Brown, age 30, of Rahway:
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(4)
o Second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public property, 2C:35-7.1A
o Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5B(11)(B)
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10A(1)
• Naim Holloway, age 44, of East Orange:
o Second-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute, 2C:35-5(B)(2)
o Third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances, 2C:35-10(A)(1)
• Federico Niditio, age 31, of Roselle:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
o Four counts of third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substances,2C:35-10A(1)
• Tremain Chandler, age 52, of Roselle:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Jhevante Davis, age 26, of Rahway:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Dylan Cheong, age 32, of Linden:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Adelson Berlus, age 34, of Elizabeth:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Bruce Toomer, age 58, of Perth Amboy:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Raiford Boone, age 51, of Jersey City:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
• Reginald Locke, age 57, of Elizabeth:
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
An Individual Charged and Detained on Prior Charges:
• Corey Milligan, age 56, of Roselle
o Third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, 2C:5-2A(1) and 2C:35-5
“This network, which was operated by people ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s, conspired with the united purpose to distribute illicit drugs in the Union County area,” said Union County Prosecutor Daniel. “The success of this investigation is a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional collaboration among all participating law enforcement agencies. We are committed to dismantling drug distribution networks that fuel crime and endanger our communities.”
“Illegal drug sales and the violent crimes associated with it are some of the most destructive forces in our community today. This investigation has dismantled a complex criminal network, disrupted the flow of illegal drugs into our cities, and saved countless families from further violence and suffering,” said Linden Police Chief David Hart. “We are incredibly proud of the work done here and grateful to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and all of our law enforcement partners for their incredible cooperation and support throughout the course of his investigation. “
Anyone with additional information should contact the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force Detective Dylan Cosgrove at 908-341-3088 or Linden Police Detective Michael Olbrysat at 908-474-8515.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
