Half Kilo of cocaine and 120 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Joint Operation by Atlantic City Task force and U.S Homeland Security Investigations
Story by Staff Writer Emily.
Jurggen Thomas, a 23 year old male, was detained yesterday afternoon at his home on West Jersey Avenue in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. He is being charged with 1st degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, 1st degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 2nd degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 3rd degree possession of cocaine, and 3rd degree possession of marijuana. Thomas is being held in the Atlantic County Jail.
Thomas was arrested as the result of a joint investigation by the Atlantic City Drug Task Force (“ACTF”) and federal agents of the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Unit. The investigation commenced after a suspicious package that was mailed from Haiti to an address in Egg Harbor Township was discovered by HSI. The package included half a kilo of cocaine.
Members of HSI and the ACTF synchronized a controlled delivery of the cocaine yesterday to the address on the package. That turned out to be the residence of Thomas’ friend, whose address Thomas supposedly used to accept the package. Another controlled delivery was then done at Thomas’ home, where Thomas accepted the package and was detained. A search revealed five large bundles containing a total of 120 pounds of marijuana in a small shed in the backyard.
The ACTF includes the Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, State Parole Board, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic City Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Little Egg Harbor Township Police, Brigantine Police and Pleasantville Police. The task force frequently partners with HSI Cherry Hill, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Deputy Attorney General James Ruberton of the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau is assigned to prosecute the case for the task force. Attorney General Porrino thanks all of the members of the Atlantic City Task Force who contributed to the investigation, as well as the special agents of the HSI Cherry Hill Office, under the supervision of Group Supervisor John Fitch.
All person are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
