ELIZABETH — On Saturday, July 31, Trinity Christian Center will sponsor the third annual Free Health Fair & Family Day for the community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 417 Pennington Street, Elizabeth.

The goal of this Free Health Fair and Family Day is to help educate the community and promote healthy living. Trinity Christian Center has partnered with several major health organizations and neighboring hospitals to provide free blood pressure, blood sugar, vision and dental screening, fire safety, emergency preparedness and other health related information for all ages.

There will be free back-to-school supplies, kiddie rides, free refreshment, all kinds of give aways and more. In case of rain, the event will be postponed until Aug. 7. For more information, call 1-908-352-9725.

Musical Theater • July 30 & 31 at 8 p.m. – Mystic Vision Players will present Aida at the Linden High School Theatre, 121 W. St. Georges Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for students 17 and under. The July 29 show is a senior citizen (62+) benefit. Call 1-908-486-4144 for reservations.

Blood Drive • July 30 from 1-7 p.m. – The Minnie B. Veal Community Center, 1070 Grove Ave., Edison, will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566.

Teen Gaming • July 30 at 2 p.m. – Teens are invited to enjoy a fun afternoon of Nintendo Wii or board games at the Clark Public Library. For info, call 1-732-388-5999.

Musical • July 30 & 31 at 7 p.m., Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. — See a production of “Footloose” at the South Amboy Middle/High School Theatre, 200 Gov. Hoffman Plaza. For tickets, call 1-732-910-7006.

Singles • July 31 at 8:30 p.m. – Steppin’ Out Singles will hold an upscale singles dance at the Woodbridge Hilton, 20 Wood Ave. South, Iselin. Ages 40+, no jeans/sneakers. $15 admission. For info, call 1-732-656-1801.

Blood Drive • Aug. 1 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 267 East Smith St., Woodbridge, will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566

Colombian Day Festival • Aug. 1 – DJ Mad, best known for the club anthem “Put Your Drinks Up,” will perform live at the Colombian Day Festival on Morris Ave., Elizabeth. The festival will run from noon-9 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 1 from 6-7:30 p.m. – The Scott Michaels Quartet will perform a free concert at Warren Park Mini Theater, Florida Grove Rd., Woodbridge. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. – The Mahoney Brothers will perform as part of Carteret’s “Concerts by the Bay” series in Waterfront Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret.

Vacation Bible School • Aug. 2-6 from 9 a.m. – noon – First Presbyterian Church of Iselin, 1295 Oak Tree Road, will host vacation Bible school. Donation: $5 per child, $10 per family. For info, call 1-732-283-1188.

Club Meeting • Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. – Middlesex East Widows Or Widowers will conduct a business meeting at the Carteret Community Center, Pershing and Cooke avenues. All widows & widowers welcome to attend. For info, call 1-732-969-2228 or 1-908-757-0515.

Blood Drive • Aug. 3 from 2 – 8 p.m. – What’s The Scoop, 410 Main St.,Metuchen, will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566

National Night Out • Aug. 3 from 5-7 p.m. – The Linden Police Department will host a National Night Out Against Crime event at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 N. Wood Ave., Linden. Free food & t-shirts (while supplies last); win a boy’s & girl’s bicycle.

Concert • Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. – Joboanno & The Godsons of Soul will perform as part of the National Night Out Against Crime event at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. – The Woodbridge Summer Concert Series continues at Main Street and School Street. Aztec Two-Stop will perform folk rock music. In case of rain, the show will be moved to Woodbridge Middle School, 525 Barron Ave. Call 1-732-602-6045 after 3 p.m. for change of venue information.

Concert • Aug. 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. – The Elefta Hungarian Folk Band will perform a free concert at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary Blvd. South Amboy. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 5 from 7:30-9 p.m. – The Tim Gillis Band will perform a free concert at Centennial Park, Springfield Ave. in New Providence. Before the main event, there will be a kids’ show beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. – The One & Nines will perform at the Senior Center, 15 Center St., Metuchen.

Musical • Aug. 6 & 7 at 7 p.m., Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. — See a production of “Once on this Island” at the South Amboy Middle/High School Theatre, 200 Gov. Hoffman Plaza. For tickets, call 1-732-910-7006.

Blood Drive • Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Masons Lafayette Lodge #27, 1550 Irving St., Rahway, will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566.

Blood Drive • Aug. 7 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – St. James Church, corner of Rt. 35 S. & Main St., Woodbridge, will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566

Octoberfest • Aug. 7 from 6-10 p.m.; Aug. 8 from noon – 6 p.m. – The Deustcher Club of Clark, 787 Featherbed Lane, will hold an Octoberfest event. Admission is $5 per day; German & American food will be available for purchase. Sat. music provided by The Adlers; Sun. music provided by Schwarzenegger Connection. For info, call 1-732-574-8600.

Flea Market • Aug. 8 from noon-5 p.m. – The Ladies Division of the Deutscher Club of Clark, 787 Featherbed Lane, will host a flea market. For info, call 1-732-574-8600.

Concert • Aug. 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. – The Great Rootin’ Tootin’ High Falutin’ Puttin’ on the Ritz Novelty Band will perform a free concert at Warren Park Mini Theater, Florida Grove Rd., Woodbridge. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. – 52nd Street will perform as part of Carteret’s “Concerts by the Bay” series in Waterfront Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret.

Concert • Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Denny Laine, former lead singer for the Moody Blues, and Larry Chance & the Earls will perform a free concert on the front lawn of Jonathan Dayton High School.

Blood Drive • Aug. 10 from 1 – 7 p.m. – Linden Knights of Columbus Council #2859, 118 North Park Ave., will host a blood drive. For info, call 1-800-933-2566

Concert • Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. – David Cedeno & His Salsa American Orchestra will perform Latin-style music at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. – The Woodbridge Summer Concert Series continues at Main Street and School Street. McPeake will perform Irish folk music. In case of rain, the show will be moved to Woodbridge Middle School, 525 Barron Ave. Call 1-732-602-6045 after 3 p.m. for change of venue information.

Concert • Aug. 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Sandy Sasso’s Swinging Big Band will perform a free concert at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary Blvd. South Amboy. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Club Meeting • Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. – Woodbridge Widows Or Widowers will conduct a business meeting at the Children’s Room of the Main Library, George Frederick Plaza, Rte. 35, Woodbridge. All widows and widowers are welcome. For info, call 1-732-381-3255 or 1-908-757-0515

Movie • Aug. 12 at 7:59 p.m. – Watch “Hannah Montana- The Movie” (Rated G) at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden.

Concert • Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. – Readymade Backup will perform at the Senior Center, 15 Center St., Metuchen.

Singles • Aug. 13 from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. – Middlesex East Widows Or Widowers, Carteret Chapter, will hold an open dance at the American Legion Hall, 1155 Roosevelt Ave., Carteret. Live music & refreshments. Admission: $10 members, $12 guests. For info, call 1-732-969-2228 or 1-908-757-0515.

Live Music • Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m. – Bradford Hayes will perform jazz at the Salem Roadhouse Café, 829 Salem Road, Union. Admission: $15. Includes gourmet coffees, teas, snacks & dessert. A portion benefits local charities. For info, call 1-908-686-1028.

Dancing • Aug. 14 from 9:30 p.m. – midnight – Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County will host Dancing with the Singles for ages 45-60 at PJ’s Coffee, 315 Raritan Ave., Highland Park. Professional ballroom dancers will entertain and engage you in an interactive evening of dance. Until Aug. 10, cost is $15; afterwards, cost is $20. For info and registration, call Jennine at 1-732-494-3232 x 621.

Concert • Aug. 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. – The Joe Monchek Quartet will perform a free concert at Warren Park Mini Theater, Florida Grove Rd., Woodbridge. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. – Emil Stucchio will perform as part of Carteret’s “Concerts by the Bay” series in Waterfront Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret.

Blood Drive • Aug. 16 from 3-8:30 p.m. – Osceola Presbyterian Church, 1689 Raritan Rd., Clark, will host a blood drive. For more info or to schedule an appointment, call the church office at 1-908-276-5300 or NJ Blood Services at 1-732-220-7000.

Blood Drive • Aug. 17 from 2-8 p.m. –The American Legion T. Nulty Post #471, 25 Brown Lane, Iselin will host a blood drive. To make an appointment, call 1-732-634-9119. Walk-ins welcome.

Concert • Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. – The Sensational Soul Cruisers will perform Motown-style music at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. – The Perry Brothers Irish Band will perform a free concert at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary Blvd. South Amboy. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. – Enjoy a concert and Broadway Idol competition as part of the Broadway Summer Series at the South Amboy Train Station Plaza in front of City Hall.

Concert • Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. – No Discipline will perform at the Senior Center, 15 Center St., Metuchen.

German Biergarten • Aug. 20 from 5:30-11 p.m. – The Deutscher Club of Clark, 787 Featherbed Lane, will host an authentic German biergarten. There will music by Richard Jordan, and 35 German theme cars will be on display. German & American food available to purchase. For info, call 1-732-574-8600.

Car Show • Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – There will be a car show in front of City Hall, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth. Rain date: Aug. 22.

Concert • Aug. 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. – Bernie Goydish’s Jersey Polka Stars will perform a free concert at Warren Park Mini Theater, Florida Grove Rd., Woodbridge. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. – Dominique & Julian will perform as part of Carteret’s “Concerts by the Bay” series in Waterfront Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret.

Concert • Aug. 24 at 7:15 p.m. – The Bronx Wanderers will perform a Frankie Valli & Dion DiMucci tribute show at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Aug. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. – The Tim Gillis Band will perform a free concert at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, O’Leary Blvd. South Amboy. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Movie • Aug. 26 at 7:39 p.m. – Watch “The Princess Bride” (Rated PG) at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden.

Concert • Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. – Roadside Graves will perform at the Senior Center, 15 Center St., Metuchen.

Rodeo • Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – There will be an African-American Heritage Rodeo at 790 Trumbull St., Elizabeth. Admission $5 in advance, $7 at the gate. For info, call 1-908-351-4850.

Concert • Aug. 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. – The Billion Dollar Sound will perform a free concert at Warren Park Mini Theater, Florida Grove Rd., Woodbridge. For info, call 1-732-745-3936.

Concert • Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. – Larry Chance & the Earls will perform as part of Carteret’s “Concerts by the Bay” series in Waterfront Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Deverin Community Center, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret.

Concert • Aug. 31 at 7:15 p.m. – Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra will perform polka-style music at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Sept. 7 at 7:15 p.m. – Jersey Sound will perform golden oldies-style music at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Movie • Aug. 12 at 7:59 p.m. – Watch “Hannah Montana- The Movie” (Rated G) at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden.

Movie • Sept. 9 at 7:16 p.m. – Watch “The Maltese Falcon” at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden.

Movie • Sept. 23 at 6:53 p.m. – Watch “Invaders From Mars” at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden.

Live Music • Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. – Red Reyne will perform original folk, rock and blues at the Salem Roadhouse Café, 829 Salem Road, Union. Admission: $15. Includes gourmet coffees, teas, snacks & dessert. A portion benefits local charities. For info, call 1-908-686-1028.

Concert • Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. – Verdict will perform music of the islands at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. – 52nd Street will perform a Billy Joel tribute show at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Concert • Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. – Dara & Frank will perform as part of Fire Prevention Night at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Ave., Linden. In the event of rain, call 908-474-8604 after 4 p.m.

Live Music • Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Pam Purvis and the Blue Skies Band will perform smooth jazz at the Salem Roadhouse Café, 829 Salem Road, Union. Admission: $15. Includes gourmet coffees, teas, snacks & dessert. A portion benefits local charities. For info, call 1-908-686-1028.

Live Music • Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. – Trysette will perform original folk and rock at the Salem Roadhouse Café, 829 Salem Road, Union. Admission: $15. Includes gourmet coffees, teas, snacks & dessert. A portion benefits local charities. For info, call 1-908-686-1028.

by Diane Norek Harrison

Memories from William: “Another item missing from Union County is the old two-story Recreation Pier on the Elizabeth waterfront at the end of East Jersey St. The wooden decks of this well-used pier caught fire years ago, and eventually was replaced by a single paved surface by the bulkheading at the water’s edge.

“In the good old days many excursions vessels tied up to the old pier to take passengers on day trips to Rockaway beach, or up the Hudson River. Some boats even made moonlight cruises around New York harbor.

“Even without the boat rides there was activity on this pier. It not only had two levels, but there was a roof over the upper one, and cool breezes usually drifted through the pier on hot days, cooling spectators who watched the busy marine traffic as they relaxed on the several benches.”

If you have your own memories of the past in Middlesex or Union counties, email me at dianenorekharrison@juno.com or send copies of your material to me c/o CMD Media, 1139 East Jersey St., Suite 503, Elizabeth NJ, 07201

DOVER — Dover Business College Vice President of Academic Affairs Karl Soehnlein, PhD, has announced that students from Union County have been named to the Dean’s List at Dover Business College for the Spring 2010 Quarter.

“We are proud to recognize the academic accomplishments of these students,” said Dr. Soehnlein. “Dover Business College offers a variety of rigorous programs that prepare students to meet the needs of employers in the fields of technology, healthcare and business. Students who are named to the Dean’s List have proven that they can meet these academic challenges, and are prepared to achieve success in rewarding careers.”

The following Union County students have been recognized:

• Vincent Mensah of Elizabeth
• Alana Pereira of Hillside
• Cynthia Polanco of Plainfield
• Christina Scapati of Hillside

Dover Business College students who achieve a grade point average of 3.8 or better with a minimum of 12 academic credits qualify for the Dean’s List.

Dover Business College, with locations in Clifton and Dover, is a nationally accredited private college with a 51-year history of preparing students for successful careers in health care, business, and information technology.

Emilie Burke

ELIZABETH—Emilie Burke, a senior at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, has earned the prestigious distinction of being named an AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of her achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement (AP) Program Exams.

Administrators at the all-female Catholic college prep high school located in Elizabeth were notified of Burke’s accomplishment this month. The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both, for successful performance on the AP Exams.

Burke is among millions of high school students worldwide who took AP Exams and performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar. Students took the AP Exams in May after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. A Colonia resident, Burke qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three AP exams with grades of 3 or higher (on a 5-point scale).

Photo courtesy of Benedictine Academy

Raymond Fitzgerald (photo courtesy of the Union County Prosecutor's Office)

ELIZABETH — A Union County Grand Jury indicted an Elizabeth man last week on charges of first degree distribution of heroin and various weapon offenses, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow announced yesterday.

Raymond Fitzgerald, 36, was arrested on Feb. 8 in Elizabeth. He was being sought after he failed to appear in court on a day he was to be sentenced to state prison on a separate drug charge.

Fitzgerald spent nearly two years on the run before his arrest in February, authorities said. Officials said that Fitzgerald had heroin on his person and at an apartment in Newark at the time of his arrest and he is charged with selling over 4,000 bags of illegal drug to dealers in Essex and Union counties.

Police also recovered five handguns, a bulletproof vest and hollow point bullets from Fitzgerald’s apartment.

Romankow commended Elizabeth Police Detective James Malone for his role in the investigation and the Union County Forensics Laboratory for processing evidence and positively linking seized items to Fitzgerald.

If found guilty on the charges, Fitzgerald faces life in prison.

ELIZABETH— Despite a diagnosis of severe persistent asthma, 13-year-old Samaad Bethea has a life that hums with activity. After graduating from Albert Einstein School this spring, he was accepted to Hamilton Prep School in Elizabeth, a competitive program. He also plays football and basketball and recently returned from Florida after competing in a basketball tournament at Disney.

It is an impressive life for a young man who just three years ago was placed on a ventilator for nearly a month in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ) after an asthma attack that nearly killed him. That asthma attack, combined with an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, left Bethea paralyzed for 19 days.

After recovering from the paralysis, Bethea was discharged and required several months of physical therapy to regain his strength. His muscles were quite atrophied and he was very weak. After extensive therapy and weekly follow up at CHoNJ’s Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Bethea made a full recovery and now requires office visits only once every two months.

Sushmita Mikkilineni, M.D. Director of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology Medicine at CHoNJ, and Felesia Bowen DNSc, Nurse Practitioner of Pediatric Pulmonology Medicine, were both invited to Bethea’s eighth grade graduation to celebrate his great progress. Despite many school absences, he maintained a 3.2 grade point average.

“Stories like Samaad’s should remind us of the remarkable power of the human spirit,” says Dr. Mikkilineni. “Samaad has excelled in school despite his condition, and I am sure his teammates are happy that he is able to participate. We are very proud to have treated him and to have helped him to achieve his dreams.”

The Bethea family is grateful for the care their son received at CHoNJ, and they consider the specialists to be “like his extended family.” They are thankful for his progress and proud of his accomplishments.

“He has learned to live with the disease and how to control it, and not let the disease control him,” says his mother, Sharon Bethea, who resides in Elizabeth. “He is a very outgoing kid and can be a leader, and he uses that ability in a positive way.”

The Pulmonary team at CHoNJ worked with Bethea’s coaches to train them in the use of an EpiPen in case of emergencies, and explained that Bethea requires at least a half hour warm up before any playing time and an extended cool down afterward. Everyone works together to ensure his safety when the team travels out of state.

“At first it was scary for me to allow him to travel with the team, but I realized that I have to let go some and allow him to do what he enjoys,” she added.

ELIZABETH – Members of the United States Marshals Service and the Union County Homicide Task Force arrested a Newark man in connection with the May 9 murder of an Elizabeth man last week, authorities said.

Nathan “Flames” Lee, 28, was arrested on July 26 and charged with the murder of Anthony Cook, 43, who was shot in front of a building on Irvington Avenue in Elizabeth, according to Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow.

Lee was being held at the Union County Jail on $1 million bail, authorities said.

ELIZABETH — Alejandro Cleves, who served as the kingpin of a notorious drug ring that was responsible for bringing upwards of 250 kilos heroin into the United States annually, was sentenced to 32 years in state prison Friday.

Cleves, 30, was born in Medellin, Colombia but moved to Union County when he was seven years old. He continued to reside in the county until 2003, when he fled to South America, to avoid prosecution on drug distribution charges. After nearly three years on the run, he was arrested by Colombian officials in August 2008.

Assistant Prosecutor Jo-Ann Miller handled the case for the state.

Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow spoke at sentencing and noted that Cleves, through his drug network ruined hundreds of lives and caused untold pain and heartache for people and families who were exposed to the illegal drugs.

“His cesspool of poison spread through Union County,” said Romankow. “Mr. Cleves was nothing but a purveyor of drugs.”

Union County Superior Court Judge Scott J. Moynihan sentenced Cleves to 32 years in prison and remarking on the flow of illegal drugs, said it was like Cleves “came into our county and set off a dirty bomb.”

During sentencing Friday Cleves’ attorney agreed with the prosecutor and told the judge that his client “accepts full responsibility” and “broke his contract with society.”

In early 2005, the Union County Prosecutors Office in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted one of the largest and most successful wiretaps in New Jersey law enforcement history—a wiretap investigation that resulted in 21 people being charged under indictment. It was through those investigations that police learned the existence and identity of Cleves.

The cases concerning all other co-defendants resulted in convictions with sentences of up to 24 years in prison.

The street level for each kilo was worth roughly $1 million, said Romankow.

The Prosecutor’s Office worked closely with Colombian authorities over the last several years to get Cleves on American soil and into a courtroom.

Romankow traveled to Colombia in 2008 and discussed apprehension efforts with the Colombian Attorney General, members of the of the Colombian National Police members of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration based in Colombia.

“We were convinced they shared our assessment of how significant Cleves was to heroin distribution in New Jersey. Colombian officials were impressed with the quantity and quality of heroin Cleves had been smuggling into the United States, and committed their help in apprehending him,” said Romankow.

The break came on Aug. 11, 2008 when Cleves was arrested without incident by law enforcement officials in Medellin. After days of surveillance, agents were able to positively identify Cleves as the major heroin trafficker wanted in the United States.

The investigation initially focused on Wilson Valdez of Elizabeth, who was a major heroin and cocaine trafficker in the state. What started as a wiretap of two telephones grew to 54 telephones, and detectives learned that Valdez was only one of at least four or five major traffickers in Union and Essex counties who were receiving kilogram quantities of heroin from Cleves. Additionally, authorities learned that Cleves’ distribution network operated throughout various parts of the United States.

After investigators raided Cleves’ mother’s house in Union, they discovered more than $300,000 in cash. Nidia Roldan, Cleves’ mother, later pled guilty to money laundering.

Even after the arrest of his close associates and family in New Jersey in 2005, Alejandro Cleves continued to operate his international drug distribution network. Members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and other law enforcement agencies continued to track his activities and ultimately conducted an additional wiretap in 2007 where Alejandro Cleves was again identified as the primary source of supply for a New Jersey based heroin distribution organization.

The drugs brought into New Jersey from Colombia were distributed throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, according to prosecutors. It is estimated that Valdez distributed between 3 and 6 kilos of heroin – supplied by Cleves — and significant amounts of cocaine every week during his dubious tenure.

The wiretap investigation was conducted with the full support and cooperation of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Colombian Attorney General’s Office and the results were beneficial to all.

“The wiretap allowed us to identify the Colombian source of supply and the methods of importation into the United States,” said Romankow.

Some of the intercepted conversations even involved discussions between Cleves and Valdez about hiring a lawyer to represent two of their drug distributors who had been arrested for accepting a shipment of 2.4 kilos of heroin.

The wiretap was originated through leads developed by Union County Prosecutor’s Office. During the four months the wiretap was in effect, over 60 detectives from the UCPO and other federal, state and local agencies monitored the conversations around the clock.

The investigation also revealed the involvement of a New Jersey State Trooper in the drug ring. Moises Hernandez used his position as an undercover agent for the state to warn Valdez that he was under surveillance. In April 2006, Hernandez pled guilty to money laundering, witness tampering, conspiracy and official misconduct and was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

The investigation continued into the conduct of another State Trooper assigned to the Narcotics Unit. Detective Brian Holmes was arrested and later convicted by a jury of first-degree distribution of cocaine for his role in stealing five kilograms of cocaine from a State Police Seizure, among other charges, said Romankow.

ROSELLE — A jury found a Roselle man guilty of two armed robberies that occurred in January 2009, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow announced last week.

Benjamin Capers, 37, had been accused in two separate armed robberies of neighborhood grocery stores in Elizabeth and Linden, according to Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, who prosecuted the case.

According to the investigation, on Jan. 12, 2009 Caper entered the Makim Market on Grier Avenue in Linden. There he produced a handgun and ordered the owner of the store to empty the register, said Cronin. On Jan. 28, 2009, Capers went to the Summer Street News and Food Store in Elizabeth, where he again produced a handgun and demanded money from the owner.

The owner of the second store called 911 and was able to relay the license plate of Caper’s vehicle. Within a few minutes the car was spotted by Elizabeth police officers and a chase ensued into Essex County where Capers eventually crashed his vehicle into a barrier on a highway entrance. Capers then fled on foot, running across Route 78, but was eventually caught by officers, said Cronin.

Capers faces life in prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 12.