12 arrested in alleged South Jersey drug cartel

[Drew27k9]

PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. - Twelve suspected members of a southern New Jersey drug cartel have been arrested in raids that seized 4 pounds of cocaine, 11 ounces of crack, more than $10,000 in cash and two pistols, authorities said Thursday.

The drug ring, which was based in this Atlantic County community, sold crack and cocaine in Pleasantville and Sicklerville, stepping into a void left last year after a similar initiative resulted in 22 arrests at a housing project in nearby Atlantic City, according to state Attorney General Peter Harvey.

The fruit of a six-month probe dubbed "Operation Pleasant Streets," the arrests - made Feb. 11 and Thursday - stemmed from leads developed through undercover work, prior arrests and intelligence gathering, according to Harvey.

The ring bought cocaine in Atlantic City, Philadelphia and New York, processed some of it into crack and sold it through street-level dealers. The suspected leader was Antwine Loper, 36, of Pleasantville.

Loper, who was arrested Feb. 11, was charged with distribution or manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession and conspiracy. He is being held on $750,000 bail.

Loper was charged in the 2004 arrests, but was released on bail pending his trial. He moved to Pleasantville and organized street-level dealers there, according to John Hagerty, spokesman for the state Division of Criminal Justice.

The seizures were made after raids at four houses - two in Pleasantville, one in Atlantic City and one in Sicklerville.

"Drug dealers and gang members are on notice that we are in town," said Harvey, who has mounted several initiatives aimed at drugs and gangs during his tenure.


http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/11102826.htm

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good snag.