Sixth Person Charged In Ongoing Hudson County Narcotics Investigation
Sunday, July 6, 2025, 8:15 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
JERSEY CITY, NJ.- On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Detectives of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force arrested and charged a 20-year-old Jersey City, New Jersey, man in connection with a continuing narcotics investigation involving the distribution of illicit narcotics from a storefront business located on Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, on Tuesday, Detectives formally charged Jamari Champagne, 20, of Jersey City, with two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance; two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 Feet of School Property; and two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 500 Feet of Public Property.
Champagne Arrested In Front Of Deli
Champagne was taken into custody outside the Kaelyn Deli & Grocery located at 156 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey. During his arrest, he was found to be in possession of more than 100 glassine single-dose bags of suspected heroin. Following the discovery of the illicit drugs, Champagne was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1,000 Feet of School Property; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property.
Champagne was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility, pending future court proceedings in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The charges stem from a continuing investigation that began on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, when members of the Hudson County Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the Hudson County Regional S.W.A.T. Unit, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search of Kaelyn Deli and Grocery located at 156 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City.
During the search, Investigators located and seized various quantities of suspected cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency stashed in multiple locations throughout the storefront. As a result of the investigation and search, five individuals were taken into custody and charged with various narcotics offenses, including conspiracy and distribution counts.
Individuals Initially Arrested In February
The following were charged: Donte Carlisle, 32, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025; Marc Jeune, 19, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025; Elvin Borbon, 32, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025; Rodney Chappel, 38, of Jersey City, was taken into custody on Tuesday, February 11, 2025; and Aliquan Hatten, 38, of Jersey City, was taken into custody on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
At the time of the February 5, 2025, court-authorized search of the business, the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services issued the store’s owner multiple health code violations.
“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.”
