Major Drug Ring Operating in Gloucester City & Camden City is Busted; 18 Arrested

Residents said they were scared to death.

\”I looked out my door and all I could see were flashing red lights and vehicles on South Stinson Avenue,\” said one resident.

\”It was pitch dark.\”

Another person said, \”I saw men dressed in SWAT gear carrying rifles.\”

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

How A South Jersey Drug Ring Was Taken Down

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. – The United States Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today that there were 18 people arrested, (two remain at-large) by the FBI that were involved in two drug trafficking operations operating out of Gloucester City and Camden City.

FBI agents and SWAT on South Stinson Avenue, Gloucester City early morning March 10, 2020 (photo courtesy of resident)

Authorities identified the ring leaders as Rocco DePoder for the Gloucester City operation and Erick Bell and Alfred Kee Jr. for the Camden City operation.

The other suppliers, resellers and associates charged in the complaints used the following means to facilitate the pill trafficking: Bell, Kee and DePoder would solicit the suppliers, including certain defendants named in the complaints, and others, primarily over the telephone, to supply them with quantities of oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax for DePoder, and oxycodone for Bell and Kee.

Allegedly after receiving substantial quantities of pills at Bell’s home in Camden, DePoder’s home in Gloucester City, and other locations in southern New Jersey (including Lindenwold and Woodbury), Bell and DePoder would take orders for pills over the telephone from others. Bell, Kee, and DePoder would provide purchasers with these pills. The defendants employed coded language and used multiple phones to conceal their activities.

Suspects Rocco and Michael DePoder are the father and brother of Gloucester City Detective Carl Depoder.

City Police Chief Brian Morrell said his department was not involved in the investigation for obvious reasons.

Rocco DePoder has lived in the unit block of South Stinson Avenue for decades. He is a building contractor who owned several rental properties in Gloucester City. Early this morning, around 5 AM residents were awakened by an FBI agent shouting over a bullhorn, \”This is the FBI come out without any weapons with your hands in the air.\”

Residents said they were scared to death.

\”I looked out my door and all I could see were flashing red lights and vehicles on South Stinson Avenue,\” said one resident.

\”It was pitch dark.\”

Another person said, \”I saw men dressed in SWAT gear carrying rifles. I didn\’t know what was happening. Once I saw the guns I got back to my house, stayed away from the windows and hid in my bedroom.\”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: The charges and arrests are the results of a wiretap investigation led by the FBI into drug distribution operations that dealt in, among other drugs, high-dose, 60- and 80-mg oxycodone pills.

The defendants were charged with conspiring to possess and distribute drugs in two complaints unsealed today. Sixteen of the defendants were arrested today and are scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judges Joel Schneider and Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. Two defendants remain at large.

The conspiracies charged in the complaints carry a maximum prison term of 20 years and a maximum fine of $1 million.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of FBI Philadelphia Division, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tara McMahon; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gilbert L. Wilson; New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, under the direction of Director Jared M. Maples; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Wysocki; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins, with the investigation.

He also thanked the FBI Newark Division, New Jersey State Police, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel J. Vidoni of the Office’s Camden branch, and Sara F. Merin and Mark J. McCarren of the Newark Office.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Suspect Age Residence

Erik Bell aka E.,

Camden City

Alfred Kee Jr.

Blackwood

Stephen Walker

Camden City

Wm. Summers 67

Camden City

Derrick Lewis

Camden City

Rocco DePoder

Gloucester City

Maurice William

Mt. Ephraim

Anwar Abuddah

31 Pennsauken

Antwan Tucker

50 Woodbury

Lolita Paynter 55 Camden City

Neal Thompson 56 Camden City

Marcus Rushworth

46 Gloucester City

Robert Pratt 56 Blackwood

Wayne Muse 73 Lindenwold

Kenneth Rushworth 59 Gloucester City

Alexander Siaca

54 Camden City

Holly Clark 38 West Deptford

Michael DePoder 40 Gloucester City

How A South Jersey Drug Ring Was Taken Down

Attachment(s):

Download depoder.complaint.pdf

Download bell.complaint.pdf

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published

Gloucestercitynews.net

| March 10, 2020

Knowledge is power: Get facts straight during Colorectal Awareness Month

Did you know that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death among American men and women combined? One out of every three people are not up-to-date with screenings.

Sadly, 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented with screening: in fact, getting screened routinely starting at age 45 or 50, at the latest — is the most effective way to reduce your risk.

Abnormal growths, called polyps, can form in the colon or rectum. Through screenings, they can be removed early, before becoming cancerous. A person’s CRC risk increases as they age; about 90 percent of cases occur in adults 50 and up.

Some risk factors include:

Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps

A genetic syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force of Colorectal Cancer recommends:

People at average risk of CRC start regular screenings at 50.

African Americans at average risk of CRC start regular screenings at 45.

People in good health, and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years, continue regular CRC screenings through the age of 75.

People ages 76 through 85 should make a decision regarding screenings with their medical provider, based on personal preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history.

People over 85 should no longer get CRC screening.

Decrease your risk for colorectal cancer with these lifestyle changes:

Regular physical activity

A diet high in fruits and vegetables

A high-fiber, low-fat diet or one that eliminates processed meats (cold cuts, sausage, bacon)

Eating less red meat

Limiting alcohol consumption

Avoiding tobacco use.

The recommended tests fall into two categories:

Stool-based tests are non-invasive and require no special diet or bowel preparation. If the test shows abnormal signs of blood, or a possible cancer or pre-cancer, a colonoscopy will be needed to confirm the result, and possibly remove any abnormal findings or polyps.

Visual or Structural tests are invasive tests that look inside the colon and rectum for abnormal areas that might be cancer or polyps. If a stool-based test was done first and had an abnormal result, a visual test, such as colonoscopy, can help find out why.

To prepare, you are asked to follow a special diet in advance and will also need to clean out your colon with strong laxatives (called a bowel prep) and sometimes with enemas, as well. Most people are sedated during the test.

Talk to your care provider about which screening option is the best for you. The life you save could be your own!

2020 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

The Camden County Board of Freeholders is proud to present the 2020 Household Hazardous Water Collections. All collection hours are 8:30 AM to 3 PM rain or shine. These events are for Camden County residents only – no businesses accepted. Call (856) 858-5241 for more information. All Events are Rain or Shine.

MARCH 21 – CHERRY HILL PUBLIC WORKS COMPLEX

1 Perina Boulevard, Cherry Hill

APRIL 25 – COLLINGSWOOD PUBLIC WORKS CPLX

713 N. Atlantic Ave., Collingswood

MAY 16 – ATCO PARKING AREA

Corner of ATCO AVE. & RARITAN AVE.

JUNE 13 – GLOUCESTER TWP. – CAMDEN COUNTY COLLEGE

Parking Lot off of Peter Cheeseman Road

SEPTEMBER 26 – PENNSAUKEN SANITARY LANDFILL,

9600 N. River Road, Pennsauken

OCTOBER 17 – LINDENWOLD – CAMDEN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS COMPLEX

2311 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold

Cherry Hill Public Works

1 Perina Boulevard, Cherry Hill, NJ, United States

Saturday, Mar 21st, 2020 @ 8:30 am

–

3:00 pm

Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey 2020 Gala Raises Nearly $900K for Planned Jefferson Pride Primary and Specialty Care Practice

Nearly

900 supporters of Jefferson Health New Jersey enjoyed an evening of dancing and dining at the organization’s 24

annual Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey fundraising Gala, held at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. The February 29

event — headlined by performances from Motown legends The Temptations and Four Tops — raised close to $900,000 to benefit the planned Jefferson Pride Primary & Specialty Care practice, set to open in Collingswood later this year. For more information, visit

JeffersonHealth.org/JeffPrideNJ

Shown, from left

: Colleen Wyse and husband, Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, President, Thomas Jefferson University, and CEO of Jefferson Health; and Dina Devine and husband, Joseph W. Devine, President of Jefferson Health New Jersey, and Chief Experience Officer, Jefferson Health.

Camden County Employee Charged with Theft

Camden, N.J. – A Camden County employee has been charged with stealing more than $114,000 that was intended for regattas and rowing competitions at Cooper River Park, according to Acting Camden

County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer.

James Stack, 44, of Collingswood, has been charged with Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received and Official Misconduct.

Investigators say Stack, who previously served as the Director of Rowing at the Camden County Boathouse, accepted money from various rowing organizations and deposited the checks into two bank accounts he managed under Cooper Training Center, LLC, a company Stack owns. Detectives said evidence showed Stack would then deposit a lesser amount into accounts managed by the county.

The discrepancy was caught during a county audit and reported. Investigators found evidence dating back to January 2018 through December of 2019 and said the investigation is ongoing.

Stack was cited and released pending a Central Judicial Processing hearing March 10.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Camden Girl Scouts Visit MD Anderson Cancer Center

Through a partnership with The Cooper Foundation, the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral School and KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, 24 Camden middle school students visited MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper on Jan. 30 for a behind the scenes look at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

During the tour of the state-of-the-art cancer center, students had the opportunity to hear from a radiation therapist, an infusion nurse, a pharmacist, and a clinical researcher to learn about their work and the technology used to care for patients.

Following the tour, Dr. Lisa Reid, a surgeon at MD Anderson at Cooper, shared the story of her career path and encouraged the girls to find their voice and follow their dreams.

Last year, Camden high school students visited Cooper as part of the STEMsational: STEM Girl Scouts Series. This year, the opportunity was extended to middle school students to encourage them to discover their passions and hear from women in leadership roles.

Click here

to view photos from the tour.

VISTAs lend a helping hand in preparation for the FaithFULL Food Drive

CAMDEN CITY, NJ–A group of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) who currently work at the Center For Family Services, volunteered their time and efforts at Catholic Charities’ headquarters in Camden City. There, they organized and sorted through items in preparation for the upcoming Camden Diocesan FaithFULL Food Drive on March 22. After the drive, Catholic Charities will use this space to temporarily store donated food items before distributing it to the agency’s other offices throughout Southern New Jersey to ensure that clients and those who are hungry will be given food and connected to the agency’s services.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities,

click here

, or to learn more about the upcoming FaithFULL Food Drive,

click here

Clements Bridge Road in Barrington to be Closed March 3 to 6 During The Day

Barrington Police Department advises you to AVOID Location due to an upcoming traffic issue. A road construction project near Clements Bridge RD and Trinity PL. will close Clements Bridge RD. Southbound at Gloucester Pike and will require a

detour of traffic from March 3-6. 7:00am- 5:00pm. Southbound vehicles can either take W. Gloucester Pike into Bellmawr and utilize Black Horse Pike, or take E. Gloucester Pike to utilize Atlantic Ave and White Horse Pike. Businesses between Gloucester Pike and Williams Ave will be accessible to southbound traffic. No vehicles will be allowed southbound past Williams Ave. All northbound traffic will flow normally.

Address/Location

Barrington Borough, NJ

229 Trenton Ave

Barrington, NJ 08007

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies:

856-547-0706

Yanick gets 100th hit as Raptors win fourth straight

COLLEGE

VILLE,

Penn.

(

March

, 2020) –

The

Rutgers University-Camden baseball team received strong pitching, a milestone performance and broke open a tie game with a five-run seventh inning on the way to an 8-2 victory here Monday at Ursinus College.

The win was the third in two days for the Scarlet Raptors, who swept a doubleheader from Oneonta Sunday, have now won four straight games and stand at 4-1 overall.

It was the season opener for Ursinus.

The Scarlet Raptors had heroes up and down the lineup, beginning with starting pitcher

Ethan Pritchett,

a junior transfer who was making his second appearance at Rutgers-Camden and his first start. Pritchett hurled five innings of two-hit shutout ball, walking four and striking out nine batters.

Sophomore pitcher

Stephen Brady

picked up the win for his first career decision at Rutgers-Camden. He worked three innings, allowing two hits and one earned run, while striking out three.

The Scarlet Raptors broke a scoreless deadlock in the fourth inning when sophomore designated hitter

Brett Yurgin

hit a leadoff home run to left field.

It was his second home run of the season.

The Bears tied the game in the sixth off Brady, aided by a leadoff triple from senior right fielder Alex Mumme. He scored on an infield error.

Rutgers-Camden unleashed its potent attack in the top of the seventh inning, sparked by a leadoff single from senior catcher

Thomas Gosse.

Gosse stole second and freshman shortstop

Danny Vazquez

was hit by a pitch. Junior center fielder

Billy Eisler

dropped down a sacrifice bunt and, one out later, Yurgin was intentionally walked, loading the bases for dangerous cleanup hitter

R.J. Concepcion.

The junior left fielder ripped a tie-breaking two-run single to left.

Senior first baseman

Matt Yanick

followed by etching his name in program history. Yanick unloaded a three-run home run to left-center field for his 100th career hit. He became the 37th player in program history to reach the century mark

. Ten of those hits are home runs, tying for sixth on the program’s career list with Connor Hall (2012-15). Yanick

will soon have more company

in the 100-hit club,

with Concepcion

on the verge of that milestone

. Concepcion, who went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBIs on the day, pushed his career high total to 96.

The Raptors added their final two runs in the eighth inning after a walk to Gosse and an error on a grounder by Vazquez. One out later, sophomore third baseman

Jesse Gerdes

delivered a two-run double to center.

Ursinus collected its final run in the ninth when Eisler came on to make his first collegiate pitching appearance. He worked one inning, allowing one hit and one earned run.

In addition to three hits by Concepcion, Gosse went 2-for-3. Gosse, Vazquez and Yurgin all scored two runs. Yanick’s three RBIs led the way in that category, while Gerdes and Concepcion had two apiece.