Nine of the 12 people arrested as part of a network that trafficked untraceable firearms, including six AR-15 assault rifles, in Camden County earlier this year have been indicted, authorities announced on Wednesday.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau has obtained a 36-count indictment against the nine men, who were arrested as part of what began as a drug investigation in March, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

Seven men are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, including two who also are charged with illegal gun trafficking. The other two men are charged solely in connection with the illegal gun trafficking.



The three men who were arrested and not indicted have not been charged with weapons offenses. They were only charged as part of the drug investigation.

The operation included the sale of 14 "ghost guns," which authorities said are not registered and do not have serial numbers. This makes the guns difficult to trace and makes it harder for law enforcement to solve gun crimes, Grewal said.



Authorities said these guns were assembled using kits that were purchased online. This included six AR-15 assault rifles and parts that were to be used to assemble two more AR-15s, Grewal said.

The arrests were the climax of a year-long investigation dubbed "Operation Stone Wall," and were the first made under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in November that makes it a crime to buy, manufacture, possess or sell ghost guns in New Jersey, Grewal said.



Shortly after the arrests, the state filed a lawsuit against a "ghost gun" manufacturer based in California. Read more here: New Jersey Files Lawsuit Against "Ghost Gun" Manufacturer





Christopher Stoner, 42, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (2 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Possession of Firearm While Committing Drug Offense (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree);

Nicholas Cilien, 39, of Mt. Ephraim: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (3 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon (2nd degree); Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (1st degree); Possession of Oxycodone (3rd degree); Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree); Possession of Xanax (3rd degree); Possession of Xanax with Intent to Distribute (3rd degree);

Paul Corum, 43, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree);

Marc Freeman, 53, of Lindenwold: Conspiracy (2nd degree - Firearms); Purchase of Firearm Parts to Manufacture Untraceable Firearm (3 counts, 3rd degree); Unlawful Possession of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 2nd degree); Disposition of Assault Firearm (5 counts, 3rd degree); Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree); Disposition of Sawed-Off Shotgun (3rd degree) Possession of Prohibited Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Manufacture of Covert or Undetectable Firearm (3rd degree); Possession of Weapon by Person Who Committed Domestic Violence Offense (3rd degree);

Bryheem Belcher, 33, of Magnolia: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);

Michael Smith, 48, of Woodbury Heights: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);

Fabian Sapp, 45, of Sicklerville: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree);

Devon Davis, 31, of Chesilhurst: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); and Dwayne Hagans, 53, of Chesilhurst: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree).

The following men were indicted on Tuesday, June 4:Dwayne Hagans, 53, of Chesilhurst: Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (2nd degree); Distribution of Cocaine (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2nd degree); Possession of Cocaine (3rd degree). Read more here: "Ghost Gun" Ring Sold Untraceable AR-15s In Camden County: Cops



The investigation initially focused on a cocaine distribution ring being run by Lamont White, of Lindenwold. He was running the ring with his son, Tyriek Bradford, and their associate, John Rayford, all of Lindenwold, authorities said.

Detectives said they soon learned that Stoner was selling cocaine to White. Authorities said he got the cocaine from Cilien, Belcher, Smith, Sapp, Davis and Monroe Gadson.

