International Drug Ring Busted

CAMDEN, N.J. -- Authorities said Friday that they have broken up an operation that each year mailed $25 million worth heroin and cocaine in food cans from Puerto Rico to New Jersey.

Seventeen people, including alleged gang leader Elizer "Sonny" Benitez, were arrested Friday and accused of participating in the drug ring.

Two kilograms of cocaine, two ounces of heroin, 11 guns and $40,000 in cash were seized in predawn raids in Camden and Philadelphia. The drugs taken have a street value of more than $200,000, authorities said.

Three of the suspects were arrested in Puerto Rico.

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi said the drugs were vacuum-sealed in Puerto Rico and mailed in cans that also contained produce to Camden where they were sold in open-air drug markets, mostly in North Camden.

Some of the people arrested were members of the Puerto Rico-based Neta gang, Sarubbi said.

Twenty state, federal and local law enforcement agencies and 250 officers were involved in the bust.

The suspects face penalties ranging from probation to life in prison if they are convicted.

Friday's arrests were the fourth mass arrests of people suspected of dealing drugs in Camden in the past 14 months.

In September 2002, eight alleged members of the Perez Organization were arrested. That group sold $250,000 worth of cocaine and heroin each week in North Camden, authorities said.

In March, there were two big busts -- one of alleged members of the Morales operation and one of the Tuten organization.

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Author: NBC10