Eight New Jersey Men Indicted on Distributing Heroin in Atlantic County

Eight New Jersey men, including five from Atlantic County, were indicted on Tuesday, July 10 as part of a large-scale heroin distribution ring, United States Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jamal Reid, 27, of Mays Landing; Jamahl Daniels, 31, of Plainfield; Courtney Broomfield, 25, of Atlantic City; Leroy Farmer, 37, of Sicklerville; Edward Brown, Jr., 23, of Atlantic City; Nassaun Hines, 27, of Pleasantville; Baseem Taliaferro, 26, of Mays Landing; and Matthew Palmer, 25, of Sicklerville, were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, Fishman said. Additionally, Fishman said Reid, Broomfield, and Hines were each charged in separate counts with possession of a weapon by a previously convicted felon.

The narcotics offenses carry with them a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison; a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.

The weapons offenses carry with them a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The group has been labeled the “Jamal Reid Organization,” as Reid was the alleged organizer and leader who organized the distribution of one kilogram of heroin throughout southern New Jersey, specifically Atlantic County, between late 2009 and late May, 2010, according to Fishman.

Reid is alleged to have orchestrated six deliveries of the CDS between northern and southern New Jersey, with Daniels acting as the “connect” or supplier of the drug, Fishman said. Fishman said the narcotic was obtained in northern New Jersey, New York and “elsewhere.”

The other six were all alleged associates of the organization, receiving, selling and distributing the drug throughout southern New Jersey, according to Fishman. Fishman said they also collected and, in some instances, stored money for Reid.

Fishman said the group went out of its way to distinguish its heroin from that of other heroin being sold in Atlantic County by labeling the distribution bags with names such as “Gucci,” “Hello Kitty,” “Prada,” “Iron Man,” “Incredible Hulk,” and “Block Party,” among other names.

All defendants were previously charged by complaint on Jan. 20 of this year, Fishman said.

Hines was previously indicted on the felon in possession charge on Oct. 18, 2011, Fishman said. Reid, Daniels, Broomfield, Hines, and Taliaferro subsequently were taken into federal custody, where they have remained since that time, according to Fishman. According to Fishman, Farmer is currently detained on state drug charges in South Carolina, and will be brought to New Jersey for arraignment on these charges. Brown and Palmer are fugitives, Fishman said.

Those who aided in the investigation, according to Fishman, included: the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark; special agents from the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Horace, in Newark; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office; and the Pleasantville Police Department.