Essex County man sentenced to more than five years in prison for drug trafficking in Newark

Newark

By: Richard L. Smith

Ali Carney was sentenced to 65 months in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday.

Carney, 46, pleaded guilty on Jan. 17, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton handed down the sentence in federal court in Newark.

Court documents and declarations revealed that between April 2021 and October 2022, Carney and other members of the Grape Street Crips gang operated a drug trafficking organization controlling the narcotics trade in and around the Oscar Miles Village housing complex in Newark .

Carney admitted to selling controlled substances almost daily during this time.

In addition to his prison sentence, Carney will serve three years of supervised release.

His conviction follows the guilty pleas of 11 co-defendants involved in the conspiracy:

Thomas Barney, Najuwan Blake-Williams, Altray Brown, Najee Carney, Tyrone Cradle, Jaquan McAllister, Ikaim McSwain, Latif Terry, Shaquan Ward, Taji Williams and Zaid Williams.The year-long investigation into the drug trafficking organization revealed the distribution of more than a kilogram of heroin laced with fentanyl and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.

Several firearms used in drug trafficking were also seized from the conspirators.