NEWARK -- Four New Jersey men who federal officials say had ties to organized crime were arrested in a widespread East Coast bust Thursday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local police departments arrested 46 people for their alleged roles in a long-running racketeering ring that authorities say was connected to the Genovese, Gambino, Luchese and Bonanno crime families, as well as Philadelphia organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra.

The following men were listed among those in custody, according to the U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Southern District of New York:

Daniel Marino Jr., 49, of Short Hills

Anthony Cirillo, 51, Englewood Cliffs

Anthony Cassetta, 48, of Belmar

Marco Minuto, 80, of Upper Saddle River

Authorities allege that the New Jersey men were part of a criminal enterprise involved with loan sharking, gambling, trafficking cigarettes and guns, extortion, fraud and assault.

An indictment also says illegal poker and dice tournaments took place at the Yonkers Club.

The four men were charged with racketeering. They all face up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities made arrests in Newark, Boston, New York, New Haven, Conn., and Miami. It was unclear where the New Jersey men were arrested.

Also arrested was former Philadelphia mob boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, police say. Merlino, 54, has served more than 20 years in prison on a several charges, including racketeering. He now lives in the Miami area.

Diego Rodriguez, head of the FBI's New York office, said in a statement that the indictment "reads like an old school Mafia novel, where extortion, illegal gambling, arson and threats to 'whack' someone are carried out along with some modern-day crimes of credit card skimming."

NJ Advance Media reporter Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.