The streets of Camden are home to many open air drug markets.
Law enforcement said they have taken down one criminal enterprise tied to a gang and responsible for a drug sale of about a million dollars a year.
15 people are charged including the alleged leaders, 27 year old Kyle Ogletree of Cherry Hill, and his 34 year old uncle, Sean Ogletree of Philadelphia. They are charged with racketeering conspiracy and other offenses.
"The targets of the investigation were linked to pervasive dealing of crack cocaine, of heroin, of PCP and marijuana," said N.J. Attorney General Paula Down.
Ten are in custody; warrants are out for the remaining five still at large.
In addition to the arrests, authorities say $90,000 worth of narcotics, two guns and $20,000 in cash were confiscated.
"The investigation revealed a sophisticated, well organized criminal enterprise that operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," said Stephen Taylor of the Division of Criminal Justice.
Dubbed Operation City Wide, the 8 month investigation focused on five drug sets in South Camden and brought and involved a dozen local, county, state and federal investigators.
"These kinds of long term investigations could not be performed without the assistance of these agencies," said Camden County Prosecutor, Warren Faulk.
Officials say there are plenty of other drug sets in Camden just waiting to take up the slack for those arrested.
With a shortage of police in Camden, the partnerships with other law enforcement agencies are essential in Camden.
