AG Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice today announced a 53-count state grand jury indictment charging 20 people for their alleged roles in operating opioid mills in North Jersey. The defendants – 11 of whom have been arrested — are charged with being members or associates of the Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), a criminal enterprise operating primarily in Paterson and Lodi. The Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Gutierrez DTO is a criminal enterprise whose members and associates generated income by maintaining or operating CDS production facilities and distributing CDS. The New Jersey State Police recovered two firearms and approximately 126 ounces of heroin and 95 ounces of fentanyl from the various mill locations.

“Enforcement efforts like this are just one way we are working to reduce illicit drug use in our state. Our Office of the New Jersey Coordinator of Addiction Responses and Enforcement Strategies is squarely focused on investing in resources and providing support to people battling with addiction and substance abuse disorders. Our multi-disciplinary approach resulted in a 30 percent decline in drug-related deaths last year, according to preliminary numbers on suspected drug deaths from the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, but we must continue the fight.”- AG Platkin