Since June, East Orange NJ police have arrested 45 for drug crimes in connection with the Operation Borderland investigation.

According to law enforcement, police made the arrests as part of a major investigation into drug-trafficking operations in East Orange, NJ.

The East Orange Police Department’s Violent Crimes Task Force began the investigation in March, with police investigating several suspected drug distribution networks throughout the city.

Police said that the drug operations were led by gang members, including members of the Bloods gang. Of the 45 suspects who were arrested, 42 allegedly belong to the Brick City Brim, Salem Street Gangsters, and PIRU factions of the Bloods street gang.

All of the suspects who were placed under arrest face serious drug charges, ranging from marijuana possession and cocaine possession to distribution of heroin and distribution of cocaine.

Additionally, several suspects also face charges for weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a firearm.

East Orange and Newark police officers also seized marijuana, heroin, and crack cocaine when making the arrests. The estimated street value of the illegal drugs is roughly $54,000. Police officers also reportedly seized 7 weapons, 11 vehicles used to conduct the drug operation, and a little less than $48,000 in cash.

Several other suspects in the drug distribution ring remain at large. East Orange NJ police issued arrest warrants for those suspects.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article entitled “45 Suspects ID’d in Mass East Orange Drug Bust.”