Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, United States Drug Enforcement Administration Aviation Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security, New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit, New Jersey State Police Hamilton Barracks, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department, Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, Lacey Township Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force, Atlantic County SWAT, Hamilton Township Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, and Atlantic City SWAT, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin/fentanyl in the Atlantic and Ocean County areas. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified three residences – two in Mays Landing and one in Atlantic City – as being utilized by Khaadim Abdullah, 27, of Mays Landing, Yaniah Harmon, 21, also of Mays Landing, and Falerria Smith, 49, of Atlantic City, to store and distribute illegal narcotics.

On August 18, 2022, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on the residences in Mays Landing and the residence in Atlantic City. Law enforcement maintained surveillance on Abdullah as he traveled in the area of Little Egg Harbor Township. Visual surveillance of Abdullah traveling on the Garden State Parkway was maintained by the New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit and New Jersey State Police Hamilton Barracks, with the assistance of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Aviation Unit. Abdullah was observed exiting the Garden State Parkway onto a dirt road in Galloway Township; he then fled the vehicle on foot, discarding items into the wooded areas. Abdullah was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody without incident.

Detectives subsequently executed court-authorized search warrants on the residences in Mays Landing and the residence in Atlantic City. As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from all three residences – approximately 14 ounces of methamphetamine, 3,550 wax folds of heroin, paraphernalia indicative of narcotics manufacturing and distribution, a stolen handgun, and $14, 900 in United States Currency. Harmon was taken into custody at the residence in Mays Landing, and Smith was taken into custody at the residence in Atlantic City.

Abdullah was charged with Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4; Distribution of Five Ounces or more of Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(8); Possession of more than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(8); Distribution of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Conspiracy to Distribute more than Five Ounces Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(8); Conspiracy to Distribute more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a: Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C: 39-7b(1); Possession of a Weapon During a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; Receiving a Stolen Firearm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a; Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device – specifically a High Capacity Magazine – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j; Eluding in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-2b; and Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a. Abdullah is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Harmon was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute more than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(8), as well as Conspiracy to Distribute more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2). Harmon was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Smith was charged with Conspiracy to Possess more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2). Smith was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA/MOPOD Group 5, United States Drug Enforcement Administration Aviation Unit, United States Department of Homeland Security, New Jersey State Police – Trafficking Central Unit, New Jersey State Police Hamilton Barracks, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department, Point Pleasant Borough Police Department, Lacey Township Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force, Atlantic County SWAT, Hamilton Township Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, and Atlantic City SWAT, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

media and photos courtesy OCPO