BRICK – Two alleged members of a street gang have been charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin in Newark.
Leonard Wade, a/k/a “Clap,” 49, of New Brunswick, and Ezra A. Strong, a/k/a “Doonka,” 30, of Brick, are alleged members of the Bloods street gang.
According to police, Wade, allegedly a ranking member of the Sex Money Murder (SMM) subset of the Bloods street gang, is a leader of the drug trafficking organization DTO. Strong, allegedly a ranking member of the Fruit Town Brims, also a subset of the Bloods street gang, distributes fentanyl and heroin on behalf of the DTO.
On October 1, police performed a search warrant of Wade’s residence and found a 9mm caliber semi-automatic polymer “privately made” handgun, along with 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition and five rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.
Wade and Strong were charged in separate complaints with conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than 100 grams of heroin. Wade is also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Wade and Strong can potentially receive life imprisonment and a $10 million fine. Wade can also receive a potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the ammunition offense.
The charges and allegations in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
