East Windsor Man Among 26 Arrested in Heroin Bust

A New Jersey State Police-organized sweep on Tuesday morning netted more than $250,000 in heroin, 26 arrests, and $150,000 in cash in a bust that police say broke up a major heroin distribution ring that reached into six counties.

Operations focused on the workings of two Piscataway men, focused on the alleged drug distribution operation of Derek Fuqua, 35, and Kevin Harrell, 34, who are believed to have used a large network of family and friends to distribute heroin in Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Union, Somerset and Hudson counties, according to a press release from State Police.

More than 100 officers executed nine search warrants in five towns before 6 a.m. Tuesday, including New Brunswick. Andre Childs, 26, of East Windsor, was among those arrested. Childs was charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a school zone.

The majority of the drugs were found at two houses where Fuqua lives: a  house on Ellen Street in New Brunswick and a house on Aspen Court in Piscataway, according to the release. Seven other arrests were made in New Brunswick and  Somerset, and seven arrests were made in Piscataway, including a male juvenile.

"In total, detectives recovered more than two kilos of raw heroin worth $190,000, more than 150 grams of black tar heroin, more than 100 bricks (50 doses each) of packaged heroin, 70 grams of crack cocaine, 22 grams of crystal meth, six handguns (four of which were entered as stolen), one bullet proof vest, and more than $150,000 cash," the release said. "Additionally, many items related to a drug production facility were seized including grinders, scales, stamps and ink pads, and packaging materials."

Fuqua and Harrell were both charged with Leader of Narcotic Network, Maintaining a Drug Production Facility, Possession of Heroin, and Distribution of Heroin and are both being held at the Middlesex County jail with bail set at $500,000 each.

"We have charged the two alleged leaders of this drug set with leading a narcotics trafficking network, a first-degree crime that carries a sentence of life in prison, including 25 years without parole,” said Elie Honig, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, in a prepared statement.

All suspects are being held at the Middlesex County Jail. Childs is currently there in default of $150,000 bail.

The operation was executed with involvement from the following police departments: the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office; the New Brunswick Police Department; the Somerset County tactical unit; the Edison Police Department; the Piscataway Police Department; the Franklin Police Department and the North Brunswick Police Department.