[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/authorities-arrest-15-accused-of-drug-distribution-in-south-jersey\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/authorities-arrest-15-accused-of-drug-distribution-in-south-jersey\/","headline":"Authorities Arrest 15 Accused of Drug Distribution in South Jersey","name":"Authorities Arrest 15 Accused of Drug Distribution in South Jersey","description":"After a seven-month narcotics investigation, New Jersey authorities arrested 15 individuals accused of participating in a\u00a0drug distribution operation\u00a0that was supplying heroin and cocaine to Camden, North Philadelphia, and the greater Southern New Jersey area. The coordinated investigation, called \u201cOperation Inferno,\u201d culminated in the aforementioned arrests, as well as the confiscation of six kilograms of heroin […]","datePublished":"2016-11-07","dateModified":"2026-01-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/author\/njcriminallawdefense\/#Person","name":"William Fay, Esq.","url":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/author\/njcriminallawdefense\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8e9869b68803369cd82f0d8d684c730be056db7c94e3ce06af05f80bee316c35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8e9869b68803369cd82f0d8d684c730be056db7c94e3ce06af05f80bee316c35?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Law Offices of William C. Fay IV","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Logo-footer-vector.svg","url":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Logo-footer-vector.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/drug-distribution.jpg","url":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/drug-distribution.jpg","height":300,"width":215},"url":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/authorities-arrest-15-accused-of-drug-distribution-in-south-jersey\/","about":["Drug Crimes"],"wordCount":404,"articleBody":"After a seven-month narcotics investigation, New Jersey authorities arrested 15 individuals accused of participating in a\u00a0drug distribution operation\u00a0that was supplying heroin and cocaine to Camden, North Philadelphia, and the greater Southern New Jersey area.The coordinated investigation, called \u201cOperation Inferno,\u201d culminated in the aforementioned arrests, as well as the confiscation of six kilograms of heroin and nine kilograms of cocaine. The estimated street value of the drugs is $2 million. Law enforcement officials believe that the ring was responsible for distributing between 20 and 30 kilograms of heroin and cocaine per month.Among those arrested was the alleged head of the drug distribution operation, 33-year-old\u00a0Fernando Diaz-Rivera, who is now facing charges for leading a narcotics trafficking network. Additional individuals now facing charges include residents of New York, Camden, and Mount Holly. The majority have been charged with first-degree racketeering and are being held in lieu of bail set between $250,000 and $400,000. Police say they are currently investigating additional suspects.In New Jersey, charges for distributing heroin and cocaine are graded based on the measured weight of the substance associated with the alleged offense. Section N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5 of the New Jersey Criminal Code addresses offenses involving both heroin and cocaine, outlawing the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and possession of these drugs with intent to distribute. For instance, charges for cocaine and heroin distribution are classified as first degree crimes if the offenses involve 5 ounces or more. First degree crimes are punishable by a New Jersey State prison term of\u00a0between 10 and\u00a020 years\u00a0and a fine of up to $500,000.In this case, the defendants are facing charges for first-degree racketeering, which is a broad category of offenses that generally involves obtaining or extorting money illegally or carrying on illegal business activities. Racketeering requires a pattern of illegal activity carried out as part of an enterprise that is owned or controlled by those who are engaged in the illegal activity. Under section\u00a0N.J.S.A. 2C:41-1, a pattern of racketeering activity may involve crimes ranging from drug distribution to\u00a0robbery\u00a0and kidnapping.These recent arrests expose the defendants to decades of imprisonment, while\u00a0Fernando Diaz-Rivera may face life in prison if convicted. Whether or not additional individuals will be taken into custody in connection with this case remains to be seen.For additional information pertaining to this case, access the following article:\u00a015 charged in bust of drug ring supplying South Jersey, Philly, cops say."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Authorities Arrest 15 Accused of Drug Distribution in South Jersey","item":"https:\/\/njcriminallawdefense.com\/blog\/authorities-arrest-15-accused-of-drug-distribution-in-south-jersey\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]