10 Arrested In Seizure Of Cocaine And Weapons

arrest picA four-month, multi-agency investigation into a local drug distribution operation has resulted in the arrest of 10 people and seizure of nearly 700 grams of cocaine. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office was joined by local, state and federal authorities during an investigation named Divine Intervention, a play on the street name of alleged drug dealer Daniel “Divine” Rogers of Lakewood. Authorities contend that Rogers, 43, operated stash houses in Brooklyn and on Marlin Avenue in Lakewood and conspired to distribute cocaine with at least 11 others targetted by the investigation. Rogers’s two homes were among nine locations raided by law enforcement officials early Saturday. 

In addition to the cocaine, police seized three handguns, a shotgun and $15,000 in cash while searching homes in Lakewood, Lacey and Beachwood, authorities said. 

The street value of the cocaine is believed to be approximately $70,000, according to a statement issued by Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford. Seven hundred grams equals more than a pound and a half. 

Three people charged in connection to the operation remain at large, Ford said. Travell “Jump Off” Nickey, 26, of Winward Avenue in Beachwood; Dwayne “Champ” Banks, 21, of Second Avenue in Berkeley; and Howard “Bones” Allen, 32, of Belmont Avenue in South Toms River are all wanted by law enforcement. They are each charged with conspiracy to distribute more than a half-ounce of cocaine. 

Rogers, whose primary residence on Cedar Bridge Avenue in Lakewood was also raided by police, was being held in lieu of $350,000 bail and faces charges of possession of more than five ounces of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute.  

Eight others arrested Saturday face charges of possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute. They are:
• Elex Hyman, 39, of Alamitos Drive in Lakewood.
• Marcos “I-U” Felix, 36, of Pine Acres Boulevard in Lakewood.
• Latifa Green, 24, of Massachusetts Avenue in Lakewood.
• Kyle Alper, 31, of Sinclair Avenue in Lacey.
• Kelly C. Williams, 34, of Madison Avenue in New York, N.Y.
• Ami Telaj, 23, and Dana Telaj, 21, both of Winward Avenue in Beachwood.
• Taquan Pearson, 18, of Winward Avenue in Beachwood. 

Barbara Bellvista, 40, of Cathedral Drive in Lakewood was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a digital scale. 

The other agencies participating in the investigation include Beachwood, Berkeley, Brick, Lacey, Lakewood, Manchester, Stafford and Toms River police; Ocean County Sheriff’s Department; Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office; New Jersey State Police; the federal Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. APP

This content, and any other content on TLS, may not be republished or reproduced without prior permission from TLS. Copying or reproducing our content is both against the law and against Halacha. To inquire about using our content, including videos or photos, email us at [email protected].

Stay up to date with our news alerts by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

**Click here to join over 20,000 receiving our Whatsapp Status updates!**

**Click here to join the official TLS WhatsApp Community!**

Got a news tip? Email us at [email protected], Text 415-857-2667, or WhatsApp 609-661-8668.

12 COMMENTS

  1. To number 6-
    Do I think they know if this behavior? I know firsthand where many such Landlords have received numerous phone calls begging them to do something about “such behavior” with nothing being done. so many neighborhoods in Lakewood have this problem. The rabbonim have come out saying something about this- Does anyone listen?
    We are to worried about people selling Soda with Miley on the label!

Comments are closed.