Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force
Assistant Prosecutor W. Brian Stack, Legal Advisor

Lt. Steven Ughetta , Commander

The Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force has a mandate from the Prosecutor to identify, investigate and apprehend violators of New Jersey’s Narcotic, Gambling and Racketeering laws.  The Task Force utilizes a variety of investigative techniques to accomplish its mission.  Some of these techniques include undercover and surface interventions physical and electronic surveillance; search warrant executions; and numerous information gathering strategies.

The Task Force consists of full-time detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office as well as police officers assigned by municipal departments and County Sheriff on a rotating basis.  The Task Force also has two experienced Assistant Prosecutors assigned as full-time legal advisors.

The Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force works collaboratively with all law enforcement agencies in Somerset County.  Task Force personnel assist municipal police departments in numerous areas include the installation and monitoring of sophisticated equipment and prepare expert reports to support specific narcotic charges, to name a few.  The Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force also works closely with other law enforcement agencies such as the State Police and Division of Criminal Justice, and participates on Federal Task Forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.  The ongoing communication and cooperation between the Task Force and these agencies have resulted in many large-scale collaborative investigations.

In addition to their investigative responsibilities, Task Force personnel also provide instruction to other law enforcement officers at the Somerset County Police Academy and the Division of Criminal Justice Academy.  Task Force personnel also conduct presentations for local government agencies, civic organizations and school districts.

PROFILE OF MAJOR CASES INVESTIGATED BY THE OC & NTF:

1. In September of 2002 The Organized Crime and Narcotic Task Force concluded a lengthy wiretap investigation, which culminated in the arrest of 23 narcotic offenders and the seizure of approximately 7 ounces of cocaine. This investigation ended a mid-level cocaine distribution operation in Somerset County.

2. In October of 2002 The Organized Crime and Narcotic Task Force concluded a six month investigation into a suspected in-door marijuana grow in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County. As a result a Superior Court ordered search warrant was executed at the suspect's residence and 300 mature marijuana plants were seized. In addition to the plants approximately 3 pounds of high quality loose marijuana was also confiscated, along with sophisticated growing apparatus. One individual was arrested during this investigation. Operation "Greenhouse"  turned out to be the largest in-door grows ever inside Somerset County.

3. In November of 2002, the Organized Crime and Narcotic Task Force concluded a three-month wiretap investigation that resulted in the arrest of 23 defendants and the seizure of approximately 5 ounce of rock cocaine. This investigation call operation "Villagers" ended a mid-level drug distribution ring in the Manville and Bridgewater areas of Somerset County.

4. In April of 2003, the Organized Crime and Narcotic Task Force concluded an undercover investigation named operation "Spring Clean-up II". This investigation culminated in the arrest of 10 narcotic offenders who sold narcotics to undercover detectives from the Task Force.

5. In March of 2003, the Organized Crime and Narcotic Task Force concluded a wiretap investigation named operation "Trap Door". This investigation culminated with the arrest of 12 narcotic offended and the seizure of approximately 2 kilos of cocaine. This investigation ended a large cocaine distribution ring that operated out of Franklin Township, Somerset County.

                                 Guns and Gangs Task Force
                 Commander Detective Sergeant Joseph Walsh

Pursuant to the Governor’s Crime Plan to reduce gun and gang violence, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office formally created the Gang Unit in 2008. The primary mission of the Gang Unit is to target and eradicate violent criminal gangs that pose a risk to the safety and security to the citizens of Somerset County. The Gang Unit uses an intelligence led, data driven method of investigation to identify locations and patterns of gang behavior. To accomplish its mission, the Gang Unit uses various investigative techniques, including physical and electronic surveillance, Superior Court search warrants, and information gathering from law enforcement, informants, concerned citizens and other sources.

The Gang Unit is responsible for investigating all gang-related incidents that occur within Somerset County, including, homicides, assaults, robberies, and narcotic offenses. The Gang Unit works closely with municipal police departments within the county in addition to other county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Gang Unit consists of full-time detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and police officers assigned from municipal departments. The Gang Unit also has an Assistant Prosecutor assigned to assist the Gang Unit in structuring their investigations for successful prosecution. All of the members of the unit have experience in investigating and prosecuting organized criminal enterprises, including those selling CDS and using firearms to accomplish their criminal goals.

In addition to their investigative responsibilities, the Gang Unit also provides training to other law enforcement agencies and to police recruits at the Somerset County Police Academy. The Gang Unit personnel also conduct presentations for other government agencies, civic groups, and school personnel on gang awareness.