Warren County man among 24 charged after months long drug investigation in Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – A Warren County man was among 24 people charged in the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Operation Fire and Ice, a seven-month investigation related to the distribution of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and firearms in Somerset County, according to Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Thomas J. Chirichella Jr.

On Wednesday, February 16, 2022 law enforcement authorities executed twenty Superior Court ordered search warrants, arrested and charged the following individuals:

1. Jeffrey Cope, 58, Somerset – first-degree Possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, four counts of second-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, three-counts of second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, three-counts second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm, two-counts second degree possession of a firearm without a permit, two counts of third-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, third-degree possession of a shotgun without permit to carry, two counts of fourth-degree illegal sale of a handgun, fourth-degree illegal sale of a shotgun, fourth-degree conspiracy to sell a shotgun, and two counts of fourth-degree sale of firearms without proper license.
2. Thomas O’Brien, 58, Somerset – first-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree promoting the sale of methamphetamine, and second-degree promoting the sale of cocaine.
3. Shayne Murdock, 43, Raritan Borough – first-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree promoting the sale of methamphetamine, and second-degree promoting the sale of cocaine.
4. Jermaine Lloyd, 41, South Bound Brook – first-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree promoting the sale of methamphetamine, second-degree promoting the sale of cocaine, and fourth-degree possession of a defaced firearm.
5. Jason Fort, 31, Bound Brook  – second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, second-degree conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and fourth-degree possession of a defaced firearm.
6. David Ninson, 33, Somerset – first-degree possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, second-degree promoting the sale of methamphetamine, and second-degree promoting the sale of cocaine.
7. Shakaun Toney, 34, Somerset – first-degree possession of methamphetamine) with the intent to distribute.
8. George Hanriot, 45, Somerset – first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, first-degree possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree promoting or facilitating the sale of CDS, and three counts of second-degree possessing a firearm in the course of committing a CDS offense.
9. John Hanriot, 42, Somerville – second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of marijuana) with the intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and two counts of second-degree possession of a firearm in the course of committing a CDS.
10. Gabriel Rodriguez, 41, Branchburg – first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, four counts of second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and second-degree promoting or facilitating the sale of CDS.

The following individuals were arrested on March 2 for conspiracy and attempt to possess a controlled dangerous substance:

• Robert Carlson, 53, Bridgewater
• Nicole Jackson, 42, Bridgewater
• Doreen Johnson, 59, South Bound Brook
• James Lopez, 42, Hillsborough
• Jessie Lopez, 40, Bound Brook
• James Matthews, 48, Somerset
• Robert McCarter, 61, Hillsborough
• Shawn Packard, 49, Belvidere
• Michael Piomelli, 56, Somerset
• James Simoncelli, 58, South Bound Brook
• Elizabeth Wooden, 54, Piscataway
• Paula Zapata, 56, Somerset

The following individuals were charged with conspiracy and attempt to possess a controlled dangerous substance but have not yet been arrested:

• Robert Dolan Sr., 70, Bridgewater
• John Kevin Hale, 49, South Bound Brook

Chirichella said as a result of this comprehensive investigation investigators executed twenty Superior Court Search Warrants to include the residences of Jeffrey Cope, Shayne Murdock, Jermaine Lloyd, Jason Fort, David Ninson, George Hanriot, John Hanriot, and Gabriel Rodriguez, which culminated in the seizure of approximately 700 grams of cocaine, approximately 1,257 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 36 pounds of marijuana, approximately 950 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/hashish, approximately 32 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, approximately 9 grams of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 4 folds of heroin, 7 handguns,1 shotgun, 8 high capacity magazines, 1,200 rounds of full metal jacket ammunition, 130 rounds of hollow point ammunition, and $183,036 in U.S. currency as suspected drug sale proceeds.

The narcotics seized during this investigation have an estimated street value as follows:

• Cocaine – $42,000
• Methamphetamine – $105,560
• Marijuana – $90,000
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/hashish – $19,000
• Psilocybin mushrooms – $800.00
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) – $540.00
• Heroin – $20.00

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or the whereabouts of the two outstanding individuals to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.