Numerous Arrests Made in South Jersey-Philly Drug Trafficking Crackdown
(Press Release from GCPO Chief of Detectives/PIO Thomas R. Gilbert 3/16/2023)
On Wednesday, March 8th the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO), along with robust support from multiple law enforcement agencies operating in the Southern New Jersey Region and Philadelphia, executed over 30 Court-authorized search and arrest warrants. These actions were the result of a long-term, complex investigation called ‘Operation Cold Cuts’ spanning multiple jurisdictions in both Gloucester and Camden Counties, as well as Philadelphia. This investigation has been conducted in close coordination with the collaborative Federal/State/County/City/Local Liberty-Mid Atlantic High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Region, of which GCPO and Gloucester County are members. HIDTA partners work diligently as a team to reduce the ravages of illicit drugs, addiction, and overdoses, as well as stemming the illicit sale, transfer and movement of firearms which contribute to gun violence on the streets of our communities.
“Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of their rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State Law,” said Acting Gloucester County Prosecutor Christine Hoffman in a press release. She noted that this investigation would not have been possible without the partnership, contributions of many following agencies and police departments. She reinforced in her comments to say, “All individuals purchasing illegal and unregulated drugs are making extremely bad and dangerous choices, given the explosive growth in our region of Fentanyl being mixed with other drugs, whether they be vegetation, pills or liquid form. The willingness by drug dealers to put others at grave risk for the sake of profit is obvious, given the continual media reports of non-fatal and fatal overdoses linked to Fentanyl intake by unsuspecting buyers. The GCPO will continue its commitment to reducing community trauma brought forth by illegal drug sales by partnering in a multi-phase harm-reduction strategy, including prevention, education, and enforcement.” Anyone with additional information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the GCPO.
Seizures were as follows: Approximately $300,000 US Currency; (14) Firearms; Large amounts of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Hashish Rosin; (11) Vehicles; (1) Motorcycle; (4) ATVs’ Money Counters and Financial Documents.
The following individuals have been criminally charged as follows: Louis Rezzetti, age 27 of Turnersville with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Marijuana, Complicity to Distribute Cocaine, Manufacture Transport Weapons, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS. Roy Lucas, Jr., age 28 of Deptford with Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana. Christopher Molina, age 24 of Washington Twp. with Possession of Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Handgun and Possession of Firearm with CDS. Jesse Carrero age 25 of Runnemede with Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana and Possession of an Imitation Firearm. Phillip Carrero age 59 of Glendora with Possession of Methamphetamine. Brett Carrero age 29 of Washington Township with Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network, Promotion of Organized Street Crime, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana, Computer Criminal Activity, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Psilocybin and Possession of an Imitation Firearm.
Alfred Ricci age 25 of Washington Township with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and to Distribute Psilocybin. Ralph DePalma age 49 of Winslow with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana. Nicholas Lou age 41 of Runnemede with possession of cocaine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Marijuana, Possession of Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense, Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Possession of Imitation Firearm and Possession of Marijuana. Jesse Schletterer age 41 of Runnemede for Possession of Cocaine, Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearm while committing a CDS offense, certain person not to possess a firearm, possession of imitation firearm, possession of marijuana. Laura Carpenter age 38 of Gloucester City, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearm while committing a CDS offense, possession of imitation firearm, possession of marijuana. Matthew Roldan age 32 of Woodbury Heights for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Joshua Kristol age 26-year-old of Deptford for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana. John DeLuca age 27 of Atco for possession of Hashish and possession with intent to distribute hashish.