Three Charged After Narcotics Investigation in Hammonton

MAYS LANDING- A narcotics investigation dubbed Operation Crystal Ball resulted in the arrests of three individuals, and the recovery of drugs, cash and a handgun during the course of the investigation in Hammonton, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Operation Crystal Ball was a narcotics investigation into the distribution of Cocaine and Methamphetamine in Hammonton.

The Atlantic County Regional SWAT Team executed search warrants on Thursday, at the Columbia Fruit Farm and at another location at 455 Walnut Avenue in Hammonton.

The following individuals were charged:
Juvenal Duran-Almanza, 29, employed by Columbia Fruit Farm, is charged with:

• First degree Distribution of Cocaine 
• Third degree Possession of Cocaine 
• Two counts of second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine 
• Two counts of second degree Distribution of Crystal Methamphetamine 
• Third degree Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine 
• Second degree Possession of a Firearm Without a Permit to Carry 
• Second degree Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense Specifically by Being in Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. 
• Third degree Possession of an Amount of US Currency Under $75,000 Derived from the Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances. 

Moises Duran-Almanza, 38, employed by Columbia Fruit Farm, is charged with:

• Two counts of second degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Crystal Methamphetamine 
• Two counts of second degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine 
• Third degree Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine 
• Second degree Possession of Cocaine 
• Second degree Possession of a Firearm without a Permit 
• Second degree possession of a Firearm without a Permit while in the Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance 
• Third degree Possession of an Amount of US Currency Under $75,000 Derived from the Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances 
• Second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Crystal Methamphetamine and Cocaine 

Vincent Lopez-Hernandez, 24, employed by Columbia Fruit Farm, is charged with: 

• First degree Attempt to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance 
• Third degree Possession of Cocaine 

All three defendants were lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending their detention hearings. HSI-ICE issued immigration detainers on Moises Duran-Almanza and Vincent Lopez-Hernandez due to their alleged illegal immigration status. 

The following items were recovered as a result of the investigation: 

• 11 oz of Methamphetamine with a street value of approx. $17,600 
• 20 oz of Cocaine with a street value of approx. $28,000 
• 1 Handgun 
• 2 Vehicles 
• Approx. $25,000 cash 

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, DEA, town of Hammonton Police Department, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and the Stockton University Police Department. 

These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.