Newark Drug Ring Has Ties To Ocean County

Four individuals from North Jersey have been arrested and charged with possession of several thousand units of heroin with the intent to distribute the drugs in Ocean County.

Eslin Santos, 27, Idia Torres, 36, and Alicia Ruddy, 23 all of Newark, and Manuel Valentin, 25, of Kearny, were all charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin. Officials allege the individuals established a drug distribution network in Ocean County.

A warrant executed on January 29th in Berkeley Township found 2000 units of heroin in a 2009 Nissan Rogue that was located on Route 9 in the area of Sylvan Lakes Boulevard in Bayville and occupied by Santos and Valentin.

An additional search warrant was executed in Newark and turned up 800 units of heroin. Police also seized hundred of new wax folds used for packaging, sifters, scales, stamps, electric grinders, and mixers. Torres and Ruddy were arrested as a result of the search.

The investigation was conducted by Ocean County Prosecutor's office, Berkeley Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Gang North Unit, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, and the Newark Police Department Emergency Response Team.

All defendants face multiple drug counts.