10 reputed gang members charged in New Jersey drug crackdown

PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Ten people were charged in a gang crackdown on the streets of Paterson Thursday targeting drug dealing in a troubled neighborhood.

The suspects are reputed members of the UpTop street gang, operating primarily in Paterson's Fourth Ward.

The gang's turf is colloquially described as being "up the hill."

The 10 allegedly distributed heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

ALSO READ | Traditional Muslim head covering approved for female police officers in Newark

Female Muslim police officers in Newark, New Jersey will now be able to wear the traditional hijab head covering as part of their uniforms.

"In the onset of the pandemic, borders were closed, supply was low, demand was high, and you had infighting among different dealers," Mayor Andre Sayegh said. "They don't want to go out of business, and that, in my opion, resulted in a spike of gun violence."

The suspects were identified as:
--Corey Boyd, 23, of Paterson
--Leo Edwards, 27, of Paterson
--Kwame Ellis, 30, of Paterson
--Sean Morgan, 21, of Paterson
--Brent Staton, 20, of Paterson
--Kassan Drakeford, 31, of Paterson
--Stefan Cameron, 25, of Hackensack, New Jersey
--Devin Kyle, 21, of Paterson
--Edwin Diaz, 19, of Paterson
--Anthony Herring, 38, of Paterson

Ellis remains at large.

Each suspect faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.