The Office of the Attorney General announced on Apr. 29 that four residents of Bergen County, New Jersey, have been arrested for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking ring operating across New Jersey and New York. Authorities seized $520,000 in cash, distribution quantities of various drugs, and weapons during the investigation.
The arrests are significant due to the scale of the alleged operation and its potential impact on public safety. The charges involve large amounts of cocaine, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), Adderall, Xanax, psilocybin mushrooms, tusi (also known as “pink cocaine”), oxycodone, marijuana, and firearms.
Kwang Joo of Palisades Park is accused of organizing the scheme and faces multiple charges including first-degree conspiracy. Hannah Oh from Palisades Park; Sung Sohn from Englewood Cliffs; and Benjamin Oser from Fort Lee were also arrested. “Illegal drug trafficking and possession of dangerous weapons continue to be a huge threat to the safety of our residents,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “The complaints in this case describe a sophisticated network that was dealing in distribution of cocaine and other dangerous drugs and generating large cash proceeds for the defendants. Public safety is our priority, and working with our law enforcement partners, we will find and take down operations like this.” Theresa L. Hilton said: “By arresting these four defendants and seizing their drugs, money, and weapons, we have disrupted a major narcotics scheme.” Jeanne Hengemuhle stated: “Drug trafficking is not just a criminal enterprise—it is a direct engine of violence… when law enforcement stands united—federal, state, county… we bring the full weight… to dismantle these networks.” Christopher Roberts added: “The DEA’s mission is clear; save lives and target those who threaten them.”
Investigators observed multiple suspected drug transactions between January 2026 through February 2026 involving Joo providing large quantities of cocaine to others at locations throughout northern New Jersey as well as Queens in New York City. Searches yielded more than 57 kilograms of cocaine along with other narcotics.
According to the official website, the New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property while upholding legal standards statewide; it extends services throughout all counties; influences public safety through enforcement oversight; holds authority under its statutory mandate for prosecution; offers crime lab support along with victim advocacy initiatives; functions as an agency focused on justice handling regulation across New Jersey.
First-degree crimes can result in sentences ranging from ten to twenty years in prison with fines up to $200,000 if convicted. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
