Police officers arrested 18 people following a major investigation into an alleged drug distribution ring operating throughout North Jersey, including Morris County.

Law enforcement officials started an investigation into the drug distribution operation in October 2016. Morris County detectives determined that the dealers were trafficking illegal drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, in North Jersey counties.

Investigators initially focused on a 23-year-old Elmwood Park male who reportedly ran the drug distribution operation. The suspect reportedly uses the nickname “Star” and is believed to have personally transported heroin and cocaine to people in Morris County, Sussex County, Warren County, and Bergen County.

The suspect’s customers allegedly resold the illegal drugs. A total of 18 people, including the main suspect, were eventually placed under arrest. At the time of the main suspect’s arrest, he reportedly possessed 4,000 heroin fold and 130 packages of crack cocaine with a total street value of roughly $12K.

The suspect face numerous drug crime charges, including heroin distribution and cocaine distribution.

For additional information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “18 Charged in Bust-Up of Multi-County Heroin, Crack Cocaine Ring.”