ICE announced Sunday the seizure of 15 kilos of fentanyl – enough to kill roughly 7.5 million adult men – 3 kilos of cocaine, 19 firearms, and a 3D printer with ghost gun manufacturing capabilities. The seizure, part of a multi-agency effort, resulted in the arrests of 29 members and associates of a Jersey City drug trafficking organization this week who now face charges of conspiring to distribute massive quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, along with firearms offenses.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark special agents, as part of the Homeland Security Task Force and in close partnership with our federal, state and local counterparts, announced a significant achievement April 23.
Our team made huge strides in combatting drug… pic.twitter.com/dL89cne2Mg
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) April 25, 2026
The arrests, which began with a wiretap investigation, tracked the movement of controlled drug purchases that culminated in the execution of dozens of search warrants on April 22, authorities said.
“These defendants operated a large-scale drug trafficking enterprise that distributed massive quantities of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl and cocaine,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said. “That ended this week. Through the incredible, collaborative work of our federal, state, and local partners, we arrested 29 of these purveyors of poison, seized kilogram quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and took numerous firearms off the street. We will continue to work tirelessly to accomplish our mission – protect the people of New Jersey, drive down violent crime, and shut the flow of dangerous drugs into this District.”
In addition to seizing fentanyl and cocaine, agents seized 19 firearms, high-capacity magazines, a bulletproof vest, a kilogram press and more than $160,000 in cash, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
The organization operated primarily around the Myrtle Avenue and Mallory Avenue area in Jersey City, authorities said. In total, thirty-one individuals – including prior convicted felons – currently face charges in the case.
Frazer credited the operation with striking a significant blow against local drug distribution networks fueling the opioid crisis.
“This week’s arrests demonstrate our commitment to dismantling organizations that flood our communities with deadly drugs like fentanyl,” Frazer said in a statement. “These defendants are accused of endangering lives for profit, and we will hold them accountable.”
Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy highlighted the importance of cross-agency collaboration.
“Today’s operation marks a decisive step forward in our ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illicit opioids, secure our borders, and confront the fentanyl crisis that endangers lives across our state,” McCarthy said. “New Jersey is safer as a result of these actions.”
Under Democratic Socialist Governor Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey has become increasingly hostile toward federal officers. By executive order, Sherrill has also authorized an “Anti-ICE” portal – hosted on the official A.G. website – that encourages residents to track the movements and activities of federal officers by uploading videos and detailed location reports.
Despite recent protests and obstruction efforts, ICE and Homeland Security Investigations were able to make arrests with cooperation from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police and the Jersey City Police Department due to a preexisting partnership called the Jersey City Crime Initiative.
“The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combating violent crime in and around Jersey City,” the DOJ press release states.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, has driven record overdose deaths nationwide. Just 2 milligrams can be lethal to an average adult. According to the DOJ, the 15 kilograms seized theoretically contains millions of potentially fatal doses—enough to kill about 7.5 million average-sized men.
Defendants made initial court appearances in Newark federal court on April 22 and 23. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted on the main conspiracy counts, each individual faces up to 40 years in prison.
