BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. - Police in Teaneck, Hackensack, Englewood, and North Bergen cracked down in a sweep against gang activity, resulting in the arrests of nine individuals with alleged ties to the Crips and Bloods street gangs, on various drug and weapons distribution and possession charges.

The arrests came about as a result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Wilson, the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Charles K. Zisa, the Hudson Prosecutor's Office under the direction of Chief Francis Cioffi, the United States Secret Service under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cindy Wofford, and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Gang Unit.

The four-month investigation began in mid-July, when law enforcement officers began gathering intelligence on various criminal street gangs in the Bergen County area. The intelligence gathered reportedly revealed that the Crips and Bloods street gangs were engaged in the illegal sale of drugs and weapons.

Undercover detectives, including a contingent of detectives from the Teaneck Police Department and Bergen County Sheriff's Department, targeted and purchased marijuana, Ecstasy, cocaine, and weapons from several of the suspects.

The suspects who are charges with the illegal distribution and possession of various narcotics and weapons range between the ages of 17 and 30. The following confirmed members of the Bloods Street Gang were arrested and charged accordingly:

• Kashawn West, 18, Hackensack, NJ
  Member of the Bloods, Sex Money Murder
  Charges: Possession of CDS, Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 1000 feet of a School Zone, Distribution of CDS w/in 500 of Certain Public Property

• Anthony Drakeford, 28, Hackensack, NJ
  Member of the Bloods, Sex Money Murder
  Charges: Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 1000 feet of a School Zone

The following individuals have suspected ties to the Bloods street gang:

• Michael Feola, 21, Teaneck, NJ
  Reputed Associate of the Bloods
  Charges: Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute (2 counts), Distribution of Ecstasy, Possession of a Weapon, Distribution of CDS w/in 500 of Certain Public Property

• Reggie Sowell, 20, Hackensack, NJ
  Reputed Associate of the Bloods
  Charges: Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 500 of Certain Public Property

• Peter Martinez, 23, North Bergen, NJ
  Reputed Associate of the Bloods, Sex Money Murder
  Charges: Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 500 Feet of Public Property

• Unnamed Juvenile
  Suspected Member of the Bloods, Fruit Town Piru
  Charges: Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 1000 feet of a School Zone

The following confirmed or suspected members of the Crips street gang were arrested and charged accordingly:

• Brandon Randolph, 29, Englewood, NJ
  Member of the Crips, Rollin 60s
  Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Shotgun with No ID Card, Distribution of a Shotgun, Distribution of a Weapon without a License

• Ashlin Hayer, 22, Teaneck, NJ
  Associate of the Crips
  Charges: Employing a Juvenile to Conduct Narcotic Offenses

Also arrested was the following individual:

• Edgar Cabrera, 29, North Bergen
  No Known Gang Affiliations
  Charges: Distribution of CDS, Distribution of CDS w/in 1000 Feet of a School Zone

BERGEN COUNTY NEWS LOCATIONS: Teaneck NJ, Teaneck New Jersey, Englewood NJ, Englewood New Jersey, Hackensack NJ, Hackensack New Jersey

Written by :

Karen