Massive Shore Heroin Ring Exposed, Say Federal Agents

Fourteen suspects are rounded up and seven remain at large in what authorities say was a heroin and cocaine network that blanketed Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties.

Herve Cadet, 29, of Neptune and Sayreville, and Eric Smith, 42, of Manchester, are identified by federal and state investigators as the leaders of a ring that allegedly reached into eight towns, according to information from New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman's office.

Each is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fines as high as $10,000,000.

The organization ran from November 2013 until this month, investigators said. Authorized wiretaps, confidential informants were among the means used to uncover the network, stash houses, distribution points and a code of Haitian Creole patois to evade detection.

Arrested today along with Cadet and Smith were Joseph Evens of Neptune; Harriel Jean-Baptiste, Charlene Braithwaite-Lovet, Athena Gillis,and Schneider Monestime of Asbury Park; Kurtis Barnes and Amal Blaine of Lakewood; Delovi Canales of Toms River; Laurie Matthews of Whiting; Mackinson Casimir of Ocean Township; Reginald Walker of Red Bank; and Marvin Brodie of Manchester.

Investigators still seek Dwight Simon, Noble El-Bey and Steve Jean-Baptiste of Asbury Park; Junior Parcias and Brandon Keyes of Neptune; and Jerrel Collins of Ocean Township.

Smith was taken into custody in September in connection with a state investigation, authorities said.  Joel Mendez of Bradley Beach and Alfred Lyons III of Neptune were also charged in a separate complaint of heroin distribution conspiracy. Mendez remains on the loose. They risk as much as 20 years in prison and fines up to $1,000,000.