Narcotics Task Force Disrupts Gun & Drug Distribution Network
Published on April 06, 2023
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce multiple arrests, gun and drug seizures by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit / Narcotics Task Force, and the Morristown Bureau of Police, stemming from an investigation into cocaine, fentanyl, and firearm distribution in the Morristown area.
On April 6, 2023, members of the Narcotics Task Force, Morristown Bureau of Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Response Team, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (SERT), and the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit, conducted an operation in culmination of an investigation, that resulted in the seizure of:
- Five (5) handguns.
- One (1) assault rifle.
- Numerous high-capacity magazines.
- Various ammunition, including hollow point ammunition.
- Two (2) bullet proof vests.
- Over two hundred (200) grams of cocaine.
- Over a kilogram (more than 1100 grams) of fentanyl.
- Six (6) pounds of marijuana.
- Multiple bricks of heroin.
- Drug distribution packaging and paraphernalia.
- Over $7000 US Currency.
- Four (4) motor vehicles.
The following individuals were arrested as part of this investigation:
Lexine Zuzunaga, age 29, of Haledon, NJ, was charged with first degree distribution of cocaine, second degree distribution of fentanyl, second degree possession of a weapon during the commission of a CDS crime, multiple second- and fourth-degree firearms offenses, involving the unlawful possession and sale of handguns and an assault rifle, fourth degree possession of a large capacity magazine, and conspiracy to commit those offenses. Zuzunaga was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Jordan Saravia, age 32, of Paterson, NJ, was charged with first degree distribution of cocaine, second degree distribution of fentanyl, second degree possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, third degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, as well as conspiracy to commit these offenses. Saravia was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform:
Alberto Herrera, age 34, of Paterson, NJ, was charged with numerous second- and fourth-degree firearms related offenses involving the unlawful possession and sale of handguns and an assault rifle, as well as possession of hollow point ammunition, a large capacity magazine, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. Herrera was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Jamel McNeal, age 34, of Paterson, NJ, was charged with second degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, multiple counts of second degree certain persons not to possess weapons, second degree possession of a weapon during the commission of a CDS offense, as well as multiple second and fourth degree offenses related to the unlawful possession and sale of handguns and an assault rifle, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. McNeal was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
This investigation was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit under the command of Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury and Captain Steven Brylinski, the Morristown Bureau of Police Criminal Investigations Division, DEA NJ Division, US Postal Inspector Service, and ATF NJ Division.
Morris County Prosecutor Carroll commended the municipal, county, state and federal inter-agency cooperation and tactical coordination that safely and effectively executed the successful arrest of multiple subjects, and the safe search and seizure of dangerous weapons and illegal drugs at multiple locations. The Prosecutor indicated that this investigation demonstrates that law enforcement’s cooperation and intelligence-sharing will lead to more successful investigations to remove dangerous weapons and drugs from our communities.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they have each been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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