Face of Defense: Authorities Apprehend Smugglers, Seize $46.2M in Cocaine

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 02.04.2020 Photo by Ricardo Castrodad U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET San Juan, Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Bear (WMEC-901) offload 3,086 pounds of cocaine Tuesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico Feb. 4, 2020. The drugs were seized following two separate interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the Coast Guard and the United Kingdom Royal Navy Jan. 24 and Jan. 30, which resulted in the detention of nine smugglers.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Coast Guard, United Kingdom Royal Navy and U.S. law enforcement partners seized 1,400 kilograms (3,086) pounds of cocaine and detained nine suspected smugglers following the interdiction of two separate drug smuggling events in the Caribbean Sea Jan. 24 and Jan. 30, 2020.

The seized drug shipments are estimated to have a wholesale value of more than $46.2 million.

The interdiction was a result of an international, multi-agency law enforcement effort in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard, Campaign Martillo (a joint, interagency, 20-nation collaborative counter narcotic effort), and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

“These interdictions highlight the importance of working with our allied partners such as the United Kingdom Royal Navy, as well as our joint interagency collaboration with the Department of Defense and our local and federal law enforcement in the region, said Rear Adm. Eric C. Jones, commander of the Coast Guard Seventh District. “These efforts, underpinned by our unwavering resolve to stop drug smuggling vessels at sea, greatly contribute to safeguarding our citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and protecting our shared interests of a safer and more secure Caribbean.”

“These interdictions highlight the importance of working with our international partners as we combat drug trafficking,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “These large drug seizures make our community safer by keeping the narcotics out of our neighborhoods. We commend all of our partner agencies for their steadfast efforts.”

\”These operations reiterate the significance of intelligence and resource sharing amongst agencies,” said A.J. Collazo, DEA Caribbean Division special agent in charge. “Successful interdictions like these, will continue to happen as a result of the collaborative efforts between DEA, USCG, HSI, FBI, the USAO and our foreign counterparts. We will continue to aggressively target and disrupt drug trafficking organizations operating in the Caribbean.\”

In the first interdiction, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy RFA Mounts Bay (L3008), while on patrol with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) armed helicopter onboard, detected two suspicious go-fast vessels, approximately 74 nautical miles south of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The RFA Mounts Bay launched the Coast Guard HITRON helicopter and the ship’s pursuit vessel with the Coast Guard LEDET to interdict both suspect vessels.

The Coast Guard LEDET boarding team, with the assistance of RFA Mounts Bay crewmembers, boarded both suspect vessels, apprehending the seven men and seizing 42 bales of suspected contraband.

In the second interdiction, a marine patrol aircraft detected a northbound target of interest, southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic. The cutter Bear along with a helicopter responded to interdict the go-fast. Cutter Bear’s Over the Horizon cutter boat and embarked helicopter arrived on scene and stopped the go-fast. Cutter Bear’s boarding team detained the two men aboard the go-fast, after discovering 13 bales of suspected contraband.

The cutter Bear delivered the seized contraband and detainees from both cases to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-HSI, and DEA special agents in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday.

Between October 2019 and December 2019, the Coast Guard and Caribbean Border Interagency Group authorities have seized 12,060 kilograms of cocaine and 407 pounds of Marijuana during law enforcement operations surrounding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The wholesale value for these seizures is worth more than $314 million.

These cases are part of the CCSF, a multiagency OCDETF strike force comprised of federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, DHS, ICE, FBI, USCG, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety.

The Coast Guard’s efforts under Operation Unified Resolve contribute to the interagency results being achieved each and every day locally under Operation Caribbean Guard, which coordinates efforts between the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Commonwealth and Territorial law enforcement partners, who are working diligently to deter, detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cutter Bear (WMEC-901) is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth Va.

The RFA Mounts Bay is a Bay-class auxiliary landing ship dock belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), which provides logistical support to the United Kingdom Royal Navy.

Brooklawn School Property 4-Sale; What\’s Up At Paulsboro Marine Terminal? ; Johnny Hockey & Buddy Robinson; New Freeholder; Strike A Pose

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews.net

FOR SALE! BROOKLAWN CHURCH PROPERTY

—The former St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church, 401 Community Drive, Brooklawn which was purchased by the Brooklawn Board of Education for $720,000 in 2014 is up for sale. The asking price is $785,000. The Board had planned on using the buildings for classrooms and administrative offices but the development never materialized.

Gloucestercitynews.net file photo

The property, which is adjacent to the Alice Costello Grammar School, is situated on 2 acres with frontage on U.S. Route 130 south, close to multiple businesses, retail, and other numerous amenities. The listing states it is an ideal property for a daycare, private school, non-profits, professional offices or redevelopment. The total

footage of both buildings is 7,013 square feet.

The broker handling the sale is

Wolf Commercial Real Estate

has offices in South Jersey and Philadelphia.

For More Information Contact Phil Costa (856)-857-6300 or (215)-799-6900

phil.costa@wolfcre.com

WHAT\’S UP AT THE PAULSBORO MARINE TERMINAL ?

—The taxpayer-funded Port of Paulsboro, which opened three years ago, is still only bringing in steel from Russia according to a recent report by

NJ.com

Taxpayers invested $225 million in the Gloucester County property which was touted as the first new marine terminal on the Delaware River in nearly 50 years when it opened in winter 2017. It was formerly a 190-acre petroleum storage field that had to be cleaned up and redeveloped.

(March 7, 2017)–The Delaware River has seen the opening of a first new marine terminal in 50 years with the inauguration of the Paulsboro facility in New Jersey. The $175m Paulsboro Marine Terminal was developed by the South Jersey Port Corp and is being operated by Holt Logistics Corp. Holt has committed more than $12m to the project in the form of cranes, rolling stock and other capital items. The brownfield site, covering 190 acres, used to be a BP tank farm. Located near Philadelphia International Airport, it has 21,000 feet of new rail track and an 850-foot wharf with two more berths planned. With the terminal initially employing 40-50 people, the potential for expansion could see that rise to 200, says the operator. It received its first vessel when bulker Doric Warrior delivered 55,000 tons of steel slabs from Tuapse in Russia for its first tenant, international steel company NLMK USA. (source https://splash247.com/

“This has not yet been the big jobs producer, the big hope we all spoke about years ago,” he said. “I don’t know if there are more than 25 jobs right there right now. My big hope is that all that was talked about years ago come to fruition,\” said Mayor Gary Stevenson.

Officials say phase II of the Paulsboro development is underway and is expected to be completed in 2021. It includes two more wharves, infrastructure improvements and warehouses, which it doesn’t have now.

(Read more)

photo source The Calvary Flames

TIME TO TALK HOCKEY

—Former Gloucester Catholic Hockey Coach Guy Gaudreau, who runs the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell,

explained how he still gives pointers to his elder son, \”Johnny Hockey,\” and his son\’s friend Buddy Robinson. Both his son and Robinson, who presently play for the Calvary Flames, also played for the Gloucester Catholic hockey team when they were students at the school.

In a recent interview with the

Courier Post

, Guy explained how he talked to both players before last Saturday\’s upcoming game

The pair of Flames forwards (Gaudreau from Carneys Point and Robinson from Bellmawr) are the first two players from South Jersey to be teammates in the NHL. There are only 22 players who were born in New Jersey, according to hockey-reference.com, and went on to make it to the NHL. Nine remain active in the league as of this season.

Robinson, a 6-foot-6 right-wing, was playing for the Flames farm team when he got a call-up ahead of the Battle of Alberta with the Edmonton Oilers, Saturday night. Gaudreau and Robinson connected on a give-and-go play that resulted in the second career goal for Robinson, his first tally in the NHL since April 7, 2016.

(Read more)

NEW CAMDEN COUNTY FREEHOLDER

— Barbara Holcomb, was chosen recently to fill the vacant seat on the Camden County Freeholder Board that was held by Susan Shin Angulo, who resigned to become the new mayor of Cherry Hill.

Barbara Holcomb

Holcomb, the former deputy mayor of Winslow, is the vice-chair of the Camden County Democratic organization. She served one term on the Winslow school board before winning a township council seat and was presently serving on the Camden County Board of Taxation before accepting her new appointment.

Holcomb has not yet announced if she will run in a 2020 special election for the remaining 14 months of Shin Angulo’s term. William Tambussi, the counsel to the county Democrats, said that vote was only to fill the immediate vacancy and not to nominate Holcomb as the organization candidate for the June primary. Her ascension to the freeholder seat will create a vacancy on the Camden County Board of Taxation.

Read New Jersey Globe article

RELATED: Holcomb Wins But No One Loses

Gloucestercitynews.net photo

STRIKE A POSE PEYTON!-

-A Crown Chicken store is being added to the Gyro Restaurant at Broadway and Hunter Street, Gloucester City. Presently the store is closed while the renovations are being completed. Peyton saw we were taking pictures and being the \”ham\” she is jumped at the chance to get her photo taken.

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | February 6, 2020

*MVC Facilities will be Closed in Recognition of Presidents Holidays

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) customers are advised that only state centralized vehicle inspection stations will be closed on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 in recognition of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. All other MVC facilities, including agencies, suspension and restoration centers, and driver testing sites,

will be open

on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 during regular business hours.

Additionally,

all

MVC facilities, including agencies, suspension and restoration centers, driver testing sites, and state centralized vehicle inspection stations will be

closed on Monday, February 17, 2020

in recognition of Presidents Day.

Regular business hours will be in effect for the rest of both weeks at all facilities.

Regular Agency hours:

Monday – Friday

8 am – 4:30 pm

Saturday

8 am – 3 pm

Regular Vehicle Inspection Station hours:

Monday – Friday

8 am – 4:30 pm

Saturday

7 am – Noon

The MVC reminds customers to always check our website before visiting a local office and to take advantage of driver license renewal and other online services, such as vehicle registration renewals, driver abstract requests, and surcharge and restoration payments.

For more about the ongoing positive changes at the MVC, please visit

njmvc.gov

South Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed Brigid Callahan Harrison for Congress

February 6, 2020

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey – At its meeting on February 5, 2020, the

South Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed Brigid Callahan Harrison for Congress in New Jersey\’s Second Congressional District. The SJBTC coordinates activity and provides resources to 15 affiliated trades unions in the construction industry. Scott Sheridan, President of the SJBTC stated:

\”The 2020 race of New Jersey\’s 2nd Congressional District is very important to our association and the election of Brigid Harrison will ensure that our members will be well represented in Congress. Brigid has a clear understanding of the pressing issues faced by organized labor and specifically the Building Trades throughout the country and our state. As a sister in organized labor, Brigid will work passionately to promote the values of the working men and women in our communities.”

\”Brigid is a lifelong member of our community and a longtime union member and we are confident that as Congresswoman Brigid will work to protect the right to collectively bargain, support Davis Bacon legislation, enforce laws to make job sites safer, deliver support for apprenticeship and journey-level training and fight for improved wages, hours and working conditions. We are proud to endorse our union sister, Brigid Callahan Harrison for Congress to represent New Jersey\’s second congressional District.\”

ICE Arrested a Brazilian National Wanted for Murder in NJ; 117 Illegals Arrested Statewide

NEWARK, N.J. – A Brazilian national, in the country illegally and wanted in Brazil for homicide, was arrested last week during enforcement efforts conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New Jersey, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal reentrants and other immigration violators.

A Brazilian national wanted for murder in his country was arrested by ICE in Newark, NJ.

The state was designated a \’sanctuary state\’ by Democrat Gov. Murphy when he took office. (photo provided by ICE)

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety in the face of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which severely limits local and state law enforcement cooperation with ICE-ERO,” said Ruben Perez, acting field office director of ERO Newark. “This targeted enforcement action focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety. Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 115 fewer criminals in our communities.”

Any local jurisdiction thinking that refusing to cooperate with ICE will result in a decrease in local immigration enforcement is mistaken. These jurisdictions that choose to not cooperate with ICE are likely to see an increase in ICE enforcement activity as ICE has no choice but to conduct more at-large, targeted enforcement actions since the agency is unable to take custody of a criminal alien within the confines of a local jail.

Recent arrests include:

In Newark, a 53-year-old Brazilian national, who has a warrant in Brazil for the offense of homicide;

In Fairfield, a 58-year-old Peruvian national, who has a warrant in Peru for the offense of extortion;

In North Bergen, a 44-year-old Salvadoran national, who has a conviction for the offense of endangering the welfare of a child;

In Elizabeth, a 28-year-old Salvadoran national, who has a pending case in El Salvador for the offense of homicide;

In Glassboro, a 60-year-old previously deported Mexican national, who has a conviction for the offense of homicide;

In Guttenberg, a 40-year-old Mexican national, who has convictions for the offense of child abuse, DUI and domestic violence;

In North Brunswick, a 42-year-old Jamaican national, who has convictions for the offense of drug smuggling and exporting cocaine;

In Plainfield, a 31-year-old previously deported Guatemalan national, who has convictions for the offense of domestic violence and DUI;

In Paterson, a 45-year-old Salvadoran national who has convictions for the offense of endangering the welfare of a child and DUI;

In Passaic, a 50-year-old Bolivian national, who multiple convictions for the offense of endangering the welfare of a child, hindering apprehension and DUI;

In Pompton Plains, a 55-year-old United Kingdom national, who has convictions for the offense of arson, domestic violence and distribution of narcotics;

In West Milford, a 46-year-old previously deported Mexican national, who has a conviction for criminal sexual contact involving a minor;

In Paterson a 22-year-old Dominican national, who is a member of the Trinitarios gang with convictions for the offense of possession of a weapon and theft; and

In Paterson, a 20-year-old Salvadoran national, who is a member of the MS-13 gang.

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Argentina (1), Bolivia (1), Brazil (4), Colombia (3), Costa Rica (1), Cuba (2), Dominican Republic (9), Ecuador (9), El Salvador (12), Ghana (1), Guatemala (16), Honduras (9), India (2), Jamaica (2), Mexico (32), Nigeria (1), Panama (1), Peru (2), Philippines (1), Poland (2), Spain (2), United Kingdom (1), and Venezuela (1).

Some will face federal criminal prosecutions for illegal entry and illegal re-entry after removal. An alien who illegally re-enters the United States after removal can face up to 20 years in federal prison if criminally prosecuted.

From January 27 to February 1, ICE arrested 115 foreign nationals, and 84 percent had prior criminal convictions and/or pending criminal charges. Convictions and pending charges included: homicide, sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, extortion, DUI, fraud, domestic violence, theft, possession of a weapon, robbery, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, assault by auto, receiving stolen property, shoplifting, burglary and illegal reentry. Both ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New York Field Office assisted ERO with these arrests.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this targeted enforcement action,” said Troy Miller, director of the CBP New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the homeland.”

ICE officers carry out targeted enforcement actions every day in locations around the country as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety, and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.

ICE focuses its limited resources first and foremost by targeting those who pose the greatest threat to public safety and border security, and our officers make arrests every single day. The agency’s arrest statistics clearly reflect this. Nationally, approximately 86 percent of ERO’s administrative arrests during fiscal year 2019 either had a criminal conviction or were pending criminal charges.

Warhawks Release New EP ‘Stardust Disco’

Gloucester City, NJ (February 2020)–The Warhawks, a local band from Gloucester City announced the release of their new EP ‘Stardust Disco’ which is available on all music platforms. It was released on New Rivals Entertainment.

The six new songs were recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Dave Downham at Gradwell Recording House in Haddon Heights, NJ during the summer and fall of 2019.

If you’re interested in a physical copy (CD), contact the band at thewarhawksnj@gmail.com. CDs will also be available at all shows.

The band would like to thank Stephen F. James for the phenomenal co

ver artwork. Also thanks to Doug Green of New Rivals Entertainment and Kevin Day of Part Time PR for all of the hard work.

Listen to

Stardust Disco

below and connect with The Warhawks on

Facebook

Instagram

and

Twitter

Entertainment

American Water Implements Temporary Treatment Change in Water Treatment Plants

February, 2020

CAMDEN City, N.J.–(

BUSINESS WIRE

)–As part of an annual maintenance program for its water distribution system, New Jersey American Water will temporarily change the water treatment process from a chloramine (combined) residual to free chlorine residual at the company’s Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road Water Treatment plants. These surface

water treatment plants serve New Jersey American Water customers in the following counties: Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union.

“This periodic, scheduled change in disinfectant is a standard water treatment practice that allows us to continue to ensure safe, high-quality water for our customers,” said Matthew Csik, Director of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance, New Jersey American Water. “We perform this distribution system maintenance program every year as an added measure to further disinfect the pipelines in our distribution system.”

The temporary treatment process will begin on Monday, February 10, 2020, and continue until the end of April 2020. During this period, some customers may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. Customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster.

“As always, we will continue to monitor water quality in the system to ensure that customers receive water that meets or is better than federal and state drinking water standards,” Csik said.

The temporary treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities. (Communities with an asterisk purchase water from New Jersey American Water.)

Essex County

Irvington, Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange

Hunterdon County

: Flemington Borough*, Raritan Township, Readington Township and Tewksbury Township

Mercer County

: Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Princeton Borough, Princeton Junction, Princeton Township, Trenton* and West Windsor Township

Middlesex County

: Cranbury Township, Dunellen Borough, Edison Township, Jamesburg Borough, Middlesex Borough, Monroe Township, North Brunswick*, Piscataway Township, Plainsboro Township, South Brunswick Township and South Plainfield Borough

Morris County

: Chatham Township, Florham Park Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Township and Mendham Borough

Somerset County

: Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Bound Brook Borough, Branchburg Township, Bridgewater Township, Far Hills Borough, Franklin Township, Green Brook Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville Borough, Millstone Borough, Montgomery Township, North Plainfield Borough, Peapack & Gladstone Borough, Raritan Borough, Rocky Hill*, Somerville Borough, South Bound Brook Borough, Warren Township and Watchung Borough

Union County

: Berkley Heights Township, City of Rahway*, Clark Township, Cranford Township, City of Elizabeth (Liberty)*, Fanwood Borough, Garwood Borough, Hillside Township, Kenilworth Borough, Linden City, Mountainside Borough, New Providence Borough, Plainfield City, Roselle Borough, Roselle Park Borough, Scotch Plains Township, Springfield Township, Summit, Union Township, Westfield Township and Winfield Park Township*

New Jersey American Water has used

chloramines

in its water treatment process since the 1970s. For more information, visit

newjerseyamwater.com

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

and follow American Water on

Twitter

Facebook

and

Democratic Candidate Harrison Supports Legalization of Marijuana

[February 5, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] – Last week, Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district, met with leaders at the

National Cannabis Industry Association

. The following is a summary statement Brigid provided regarding her stance on the legalization of cannabis and criminal justice reform:

I support the legalization of regulated buying and selling of marijuana.

The federal government should decriminalize marijuana by removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, because families should not be torn apart due to a loved one being incarcerated on a minor marijuana charge.

It is imperative that the federal government take the lead on this issue. Currently, because of varying state laws, over 31,000 New Jerseyans and 660,000 Americans are arrested each year for doing something that many states have legalized. Federal, state, and municipal governments invest $3.6 billion enforcing marijuana laws, costing governments about $4390 per arrest, while ten states have legalized marijuana. This perpetuates an unequal system in which the poor are often subject to different rules than those who can travel to use marijuana recreationally, and one in which taxpayers are forced to bear the enormous fiscal burden of enforcement.

For me, the most important component of legalization centers on issues of social justice and legal fairness: I support policy that directs the federal courts to expunge prior convictions, allows prior offenders to request expungement with the help of an

expungement attorney

, and requires courts to conduct re-sentencing hearings for those still under supervision. Today prior convictions create a form of economic discrimination that prevent those convicted of low-level marijuana possession charges from attaining employment and may be used against those convicted in civil matters, including in custody

determinations and adoption decisions.

I want to ensure all people are given the same rights and are not discriminated against, so in Washington I will support legislation to prohibit the denial of any federal public benefit because of the possession of marijuana or prior conviction of a marijuana offense.

Another important consideration of legalization centers on social justice and economic fairness. As Congresswoman from the second congressional district, I would support the levying of a 5 percent sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products to create a dedicated revenue stream to assist those negatively impacted by the policy of criminalized marijuana, including job training and re-entry and other services needed by those returning to their communities.

Communities, too, need to be made whole, and small business development grants should be funded to ensure that communities that have paid the price for criminalized marijuana are given the opportunity to thrive and prosper through legalization.

Finally, an important component of legalization involves the creation of a regulatory structure that serves to address the public policy concerns of each cannabis product that would be available to consumers. In Congress, I would support the creation of such a structure housed in existing government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Tobacco Tax Bureau, which are specifically and uniquely qualified address the important public policy questions associated with the legalization various cannabis products.

Arrests for low level marijuana possession have disproportionately decimated the lives of people of color. High levels of incarceration have torn apart families, wreaked havoc on communities, and burdened municipal governments that often are not only charged with enforcing existing drug laws, but then also providing the support for those left behind when a loved one is sent to jail for a low level drug conviction. The implementation of a legalization policy must lead attempt to remedy the injustices that have been perpetrated in the past.

LOTTERY POSTS RECORD SALES AND STATE CONTRIBUTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

TRENTON (Feb. 3, 2020) –

The New Jersey Lottery posted record sales and a record contribution to the State according to the latest Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2019 released today, which is available for review on the

Lottery’s website

In Fiscal Year 2019, the Lottery generated $3.48 billion in sales, a $182 million increase over the prior year. The substantial increase in sales translated into a record contribution to the State in Fiscal Year 2019 of over $1.10 billion, which is used to support New Jersey’s public employee pension system. The success was shared by New Jersey players, who won more than $2 billion in prizes, and retailers, who earned $198 million in commissions.

“Impressive jackpots were an important component of total Lottery sales during Fiscal Year 2019,” said New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director James A. Carey, Jr. “Mega Millions had a $1.5 billion jackpot in October 2018 and also brought a $267 million jackpot to a New Jersey ticketholder in March 2019. Powerball jackpots performed well too, with a $687 million jackpot in October 2018 and a $768 million jackpot in March 2019. The high jackpots drove combined sales of the two multi-state games to approximately $521 million.”

In May of 2019, the Division of State Lottery amended the services agreement with its sales and marketing vendor Northstar New Jersey Lottery Group, which revised the formula for calculating the incentive payment owed to Northstar in Fiscal Year 2019 and in future years, and increased the performance targets that are used to calculate any incentive payment owed to Northstar. As a result, the incentive compensation paid to Northstar for FY 2019 totaled $26.1 million, significantly lower than the $33.9 million incentive payment that would have been owed to Northstar in FY 2019 under the previous contractual terms, saving taxpayers $7.8 million. For comparison purposes, in Fiscal Year 2018, the Lottery paid $31.8 million to Northstar in incentive compensation. Under the new contract terms, in FY 2019, the incentive compensation dropped, even as sales increased from $3.299 billion to $3.482 billion.

The Lottery is the State’s fifth largest individual revenue producer benefiting the residents of New Jersey. Since its inception in 1970, the Lottery has contributed over $28 billion to the State, helping to bolster the public employee pension system for teachers, police and fire personnel and other public employees, as well as supporting businesses and communities throughout New Jersey.