EDISON – Press Release – Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today eleven individuals have been charged for their involvement in a large-scale narcotics distribution ring that operated in Middlesex and Union counties.
On March 15, 2021, Terrence Barker, 37, of Edison was arrested and charged with first-degree Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, first-degree Promoting Organized Street Crime, first-degree Distribution of Heroin, first-degree Distribution of Cocaine, first-degree Maintaining a Narcotics Production Facility, second-degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, first-degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, third-degree Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity, second-degree Eluding, second-degree Aggravated Assault while Eluding, third-degree Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and second-degree Endangering the Welfare of Children.
Along with Barker, Jermaine Pennant, 36, of Plainfield; Henry Alvin II, 35, of Plainfield; Rukaiyah Green, 31, of Edison; Shawn Heyward, 32, of Piscataway; Brianna Thompson, 27, of Springfield; Francois Skyers, 33, of South Plainfield; Larry Lowery, 31, of Plainfield; Michael Lowery, 36, of Dunellen; Umoja Fortney, 25, of Piscataway; and Cheyenne Floyd, 28, of Springfield were also charged with various drug distribution-related offenses.
The investigation conducted by the Narcotics Task Force of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Edison and Piscataway Police Departments resulted in the execution of over twenty search warrants across Middlesex and Union Counties. The searches resulted in the recovery of over two kilograms of suspected cocaine, over one kilogram of suspected heroin, approximately 149 grams of fentanyl, 70 grams of Oxycodone, one loaded Smith and Wesson revolver and over $120,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The seizures prevented tens of thousands of doses of dangerous drugs from reaching the hands of individuals suffering from addiction.
As authorities attempted to take Barker into custody, Barker rammed his vehicle into an Edison Police vehicle, causing bodily injury to an officer. The officer was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
Barker, Alvin and Michael Lowery were detained following a detention hearing in the Middlesex County Superior Court on March 23, 2021. Larry Lowery and Jermaine Pennant have yet to be arrested.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Erik Larsen of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-5977.