FREEHOLD – An investigation launched earlier this year prompted by a spike in shootings in Long Branch, Asbury Park and Neptune Township, resulted in the arrests of members of a Long Branch-based “G-Shine” set of the Bloods criminal street gang along with gang associates. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Unit initiated Operation Lights Out in an effort to identify those responsible for this increased violence and to dismantle their criminal enterprise, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
“Our objective is to continue to do all that we can to make the streets of Monmouth County safe for everyone. Dismantling entrenched criminal enterprises that peddle drugs, unlawfully possess and transfer firearms and inflict violence, remains our priority. We had great support from our law enforcement partners throughout the county and we collectively share this same goal,” Gramiccioni said.
The nine-month investigation led to the arrest of 29 people who now face charges ranging from Racketeering, Distribution of Narcotics, Conspiracy to Distribute and/or Possess Narcotics, Unlawful Possession of Handguns, Unlawful Transfer or Sale of Firearms, Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons and Hindering Apprehension of Another. The investigation revealed the criminal organization distributed approximately 150-200 grams of powder and crack cocaine a week with an estimated street value of $225,000.00, and approximately 250 packets of heroin per week with an estimated street value of $22,500.00. Operation Lights Out culminated last week with the seizure of two semi-automatic handguns (.40 and .380 caliber), over 200 grams of cocaine, 35 bricks of heroin, approximately $14,000 in cash and three vehicles.
