UPDATE: Over 40 Arrested and Charged in Heroin and Gun Trafficking Sweep

More than 40 people have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged Long Branch-based racketeering network responsible for the distribution of heroin and assault firearms.

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, the alleged leader of the network has been identified as Anthony Stevenson a/k/a Nygee, 43, of Overlook Avenue, Long Branch. Stevenson is the owner of Christabell's American Soul Food Restaurant on Springfield Avenue, Long Branch.

Many of the arrests were made on Aug. 3 as part of an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office which began in the fall, 2010.

During the 8-month investigation, Stevenson allegedly either orchestrated or sold heroin to an undercover officer on several occasions. Thirty-eight bricks of heroin and an unspecified amount of cocaine were purchased from Stevenson and his associates.

According to prosecutor’s office, Stevenson allegedly obtained most of the heroin he sold from Uwenzin Jenkins, 39, of West Orange. On July 1, officers witnessed two of Stevenson’s associates, Dario Woods, 32, and Keith Rogers, 40, both of Asbury Park, purchase heroin from Jenkins on Stevenson’s behalf.

Following this meeting, Woods and Rogers were arrested after they were found with approximately 40 bricks of heroin during a motor vehicle stop in Tinton Falls.

The investigation also revealed that Stevenson brokered the transport and sale of illegal guns into the state from Amos Castro, 39, formerly of Long Branch, who currently resides in South Carolina and Leroy Taylor, 40, of North Carolina.

According to the prosecutor’s office,  on April 11, Castro allegedly sold a handgun to an undercover officer in Stevenson’s restaurant.  On July 21, Stevenson allegedly sold two assaults rifles he obtained from Taylor to an undercover officer in the parking lot of an undercover officer in a West Long Branch gas station.

Castro was arrested in New Jersey and Taylor was arrested in North Carolina on Aug. 3.

On Aug. 1, officers observed Jenkins selling heroin to Stevenson and an associate, Kenrick Crawford, 43, of Asbury Park,. Stevenson and Crawford were later arrested during a motor vehicle stop in Tinton Falls, in possession of approximately 50 bricks of heroin.

Later the same day, during a “lawful search” of Stevenson’s restaurant, two bricks of heroin were found. Andrew Davis, 46, Francisco, Gomez, 23, both of Long Branch, Deborah Howard. 40, of Asbury Park and her daughter, Jessica Howard, 22, of Long Branch, were at the restaurant at the time of the search.

Davis was charged with possession of cocaine, Deborah and Jessica Howard and Gomez were charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Deborah was later charged with racketeering conspiracy on Aug. 3.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated soon. Stay tuned to Patch for more information.