Atlantic City Brothers Plead Guilty To Leading Drug Trafficking Network

Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 12:00 P.M. ET. 7 Minute Read, By The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, With Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ.- Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds reported, On Monday, June 23, 2025, Justin Suarez, 40, and his twin brother, Joseph Suarez, 40, both of Atlantic City, New Jersey, appeared in Atlantic County Superior Court and each pleaded guilty to first-degree Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose. In exchange for their guilty pleas, the State agreed to recommend an aggregate sentence of 28 years with 14 years of parole ineligibility for Joseph Suarez and an aggregate sentence of 25 years with 12 years of parole ineligibility for Justin Suarez. Both defendants were facing life imprisonment sentences should they have been convicted at trial.

Investigator Executed Search Warrants

     On November 14, 2022, members of the Atlantic City Police Department, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration executed approximately 20 search warrants in various locations in Atlantic County. The warrants were the culmination of a wiretap investigation dubbed “Operation Florida Keys,” which focused on the Suarez brothers’ control of the drug trade on South Florida Avenue in Atlantic City. In all, investigators recovered approximately 40,642 folds of fentanyl individually packaged for sale, over $85,000 in cash, two handguns, and 5.6 ounces of crack cocaine.

     Justin Suarez was enrolled in the Atlantic County Superior Court Recovery Court program throughout Operation Florida Keys, and he is expected to be sentenced to a concurrent term of state prison for violating the terms of that sentence.

     Joseph Suarez was responsible for coordinating deliveries of crack cocaine and fentanyl to South Florida Avenue. One delivery of crack cocaine was intercepted from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, en route to Joseph Suarez. The deliverymen were identified as Jose R. Perez-Paredes, 31, and Yoao JerezTejada, 29, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Both men pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and they were sentenced, respectively, to an aggregate term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison with two years of parole ineligibility, and a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison. 

     Orlando Perez, 39, of New York, NY, was apprehended after delivering a duffel bag containing fentanyl to Joseph Suarez on Florida Avenue. Perez had been paid to deliver the fentanyl to Joseph Suarez from the Bronx, and the delivery was recorded on a surveillance camera. A motor vehicle stop after the delivery led to the arrest of Perez and the recovery of approximately $5,800 in cash and over 4,000 fentanyl folds. Perez later pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and he is expected to be sentenced to a term of three years in New Jersey State Prison under the terms of his plea agreement.

     Justin and Joseph Suarez would divide up the deliveries of crack cocaine and fentanyl, which they then distributed to lower members of their network who held and sold the drugs at street level on their behalf.

Ridley Was A Drug Runner For the Brothers

     Arcadia Ridley, 34, of Pleasantville, NJ, delivered drugs to South Florida Avenue from her home, where she stored the drugs on behalf of Joseph Suarez. A search of Ridley’s residence on November 14, 2022, led to the recovery of 12,989 folds of fentanyl stamped “Bad Bunny,” 1,250 folds of fentanyl stamped “Gucci,” and 2,500 folds of fentanyl stamped “One-Way.” Investigators also recovered a .45 caliber handgun loaded with hollow point bullets. Joseph Suarez admitted during his guilty plea that the handgun belonged to him and that he possessed the handgun to further his drug distribution activities.

     Ridley is currently pending sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and unlawful possession of a handgun. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Ridley is expected to be sentenced to a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison with one year of parole ineligibility.

     A search of a stash house on Florida Avenue in Atlantic City used by Justin Suarez led to the recovery of a 9mm handgun. The handgun was loaded with a high-capacity ammunition magazine and hollow point bullets; the handgun had also previously been reported stolen from Pennsylvania. Subsequently, DNA testing confirmed that the handgun belonged to Justin Suarez, who admitted during his guilty plea that he possessed the handgun to further his drug distribution activities.

     The Suarez brothers’ mother, Terria Acosta, 57, of Atlantic City, NJ, previously pleaded guilty to third-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity. Investigators recovered approximately $44,539 in cash from the trunk of her vehicle. Through intercepted phone calls and surveillance footage, investigators determined that Acosta was responsible for holding and delivering drug money on behalf of Joseph Suarez. Acosta is currently pending sentencing. Under the terms of her plea agreement, she is expected to be sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison.

     Howard Cubbage, 60, of Atlantic City, NJ, stored and sold fentanyl and cocaine on behalf of the Suarez brothers. A search of Cubbage’s apartment on November 14, 2022, revealed approximately 15,000 folds of fentanyl individually packaged for sale, a small amount of crack cocaine, and several thousand dollars. Cubbage later pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and he is expected to be sentenced to a term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with five years of parole ineligibility under the terms of his plea agreement.

     Roderick Holsey, 35, of Atlantic City, NJ, was sentenced to an aggregate term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison with 18 months of parole ineligibility after he pleaded guilty to being a Certain Person possessing a P80 handgun with no serial number, which was recovered from his bedroom located in Cubbage’s apartment.

Potter And DiMeo Stored Narcotics For The Brothers

     Keith Potter, 63, of Galloway Township, NJ, and James DiMeo, 61, of Atlantic City, NJ, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances. Intercepted phone calls revealed that Potter and DiMeo stored and sold crack cocaine and fentanyl on behalf of Justin Suarez. A search of DiMeo’s apartment also revealed approximately 4,438 folds of fentanyl stamped “True Religion,” which DiMeo was holding for Justin Suarez. Under the terms of their plea agreements, Potter and DiMeo are expected to be sentenced to probationary terms conditioned upon serving county jail sentences.

Hauser Was A Was High Up In The Organization

     Safiyah Hauser, 38, of Atlantic City, NJ, was a high-level member of the Suarez brothers’ network. Hauser reported directly to Joseph Suarez, and she stored and sold fentanyl on his behalf. A search of her apartment on November 14, 2022, revealed approximately 100 folds of fentanyl and a drug ledger which identified Joseph Suarez as “the boss.” Hauser pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and to unlawful possession of a community handgun, which she held on behalf of Justin Suarez in her apartment. Hauser is expected to be sentenced to an aggregate term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison with one year of parole ineligibility.

Braxton Was An Enforcer

     Maurice Braxton, 36, of Atlantic City, NJ, is currently serving a seven-year prison term with 42 months of parole ineligibility after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, unlawful possession of a community gun, and aggravated assault. Surveillance footage recorded Braxton punching a man and knocking him unconscious in October 2022 on a sidewalk on Florida Avenue. It was later learned that Joseph Suarez directed Braxton to punch the man.