2 South Jersey men sentenced for drug-ring roles

Two South Jersey men have been sentenced to state prison for their roles in an international drug ring that shipped cocaine from California to New Jersey, acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced Friday in Camden.

The two were charged in January 2014 in connection with "Operation Next Day Air," which investigated the ring allegedly led by a Jamaican recording star, Andrew K. Davis, formerly of Swedesboro. More than $1.4 million in drugs, cash, and weapons were confiscated.

Authorities alleged that the ring, which extended to Jamaica, used the U.S. mail and other parcel delivery services to send shipments of cocaine.

During the investigation, led by the New Jersey State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, detectives seized over 26 kilograms of cocaine, worth approximately $910,000; two handguns; and more than $500,000 in cash.

On Friday, Superior Court Judge John T. Kelley in Camden County sentenced Juan M. Cortez, 43, of Vineland, N.J., to eight years in state prison, including two years without parole eligibility.

His codefendant Angel R. Rivera, 35, also of Vineland, was sentenced by Kelley in June to 10 years in state prison, including 31/2 years without parole eligibility. Both had pleaded guilty to first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Authorities described Davis, of Kingston, Jamaica, who records under the names Flippa Mafia and Flippa Moggela, and his brother Kemar, 24, of Hollywood, Fla., as the narcotics-ring leaders. Both were arrested in Los Angeles. If convicted, they face 25 years to life in state prison, Hoffman said in a statement.

The ring allegedly shipped cocaine to New Jersey for bulk distribution to other narcotics suppliers and dealers, authorities said. The investigation began in March 2011 when authorities seized two packages each containing four kilograms of cocaine from a Marlton mail facility.

Cortez and Rivera were arrested at Cherry Hill Mall in March 2013 after allegedly receiving a cocaine shipment there, allegedly from codefendant Marsha G. Bernard, 33, of Cherry Hill. Charges are pending against Bernard.

Prosecutors say cocaine was found in a hidden compartment in Rivera's car. A stolen handgun was later seized at his home.

Four other defendants in "Operation Next Day Air" were sentenced previously for their roles.

James C. McBride, 42, of Mount Laurel, was sentenced in November to 16 years in state prison for first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Sidonie McLeod, 30, of Cherry Hill, was sentenced to five years in state prison in January on a conspiracy charge.

Ruan Rose, 42, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to four years in state prison in February on a conspiracy charge.

Hioka N. Myrie, 34, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to three years in state prison in February on a conspiracy charge.

Bernard and Andrew and Kemar Davis, and their brother Roger, 37, of Roslyn, are scheduled for trial in September.