U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, working with federal, state and local partners, arrested 18 alleged members of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Bradley Court Housing Complex on July 1.
The arrests followed a 14-month investigation by HSI Newark, the Newark Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Officials also announced federal charges against 24 defendants total and executed seven federal search warrants across Essex County.
“This operation stopped alleged conspirators selling narcotics primarily from the Bradley Court Public Housing Complex,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “Law enforcement partnership was essential in our success.”
The investigation uncovered a criminal enterprise with ties to transnational organized crime. Agents seized approximately $113,000 in suspected drug proceeds, illicit firearms, ammunition, 28 bricks of fentanyl and heroin, and vehicles. Authorities say the group distributed more than 400 grams of fentanyl and a kilogram of heroin.
According to court documents, the defendants are members or associates of Sex, Money, Murder—a Bloods-affiliated street gang that controls drug sales in Bradley Court. The group is also known as Munn Block, M-Blok, and Tombstone Gang, and is aligned with another Bloods set called Voorhees. Collectively, they call themselves “MunnHees.”
Two additional suspects were arrested on July 2, while four remain at large.
Authorities say surveillance, undercover operations, and electronic monitoring over the past year documented the gang’s use of social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp to coordinate, advertise, and intimidate rivals. Music videos and drill rap content allegedly promoted the gang and threatened opponents.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said the arrests aimed to reduce violence and drug sales in Newark. “For far too long, the Bloods have overtaken Bradley Court, pumping deadly fentanyl into the city,” Habba said. “These arrests affirm our commitment to taking guns and drugs off the streets.”
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba held a press conference to announce 18 arrests, and 24 defendants charged with narcotics and firearm offenses for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization controlled by the bloods street gang. pic.twitter.com/HTATeKrwkQ
— NJ US Attorney (@USAO_NJ) July 2, 2025
Those charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison. Several defendants also face additional charges, including possession of machine guns used in a June 17 shooting.
Other agencies supporting the operation included U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, New Jersey State Police, and local police departments.