Officials Take Out Another Drug Gang In Atlantic City

by David Madden

MAYS LANDING, NJ (CBS) -- Authorities down the shore have taken out a drug gang that operated in the northern part of Atlantic City. 19 of 41 suspects are in custody after raids conducted with county, state and federal help.

The target has been on the Head Shot street gang for a year now. That probe led to the seizure of a half million dollars worth of heroin, a half dozen guns and 165 grand in cash. Atlantic County First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton, while proud of this effort, knows all too well some other gang will step in. That's how Head Shot became a player, after three other gangs were busted over the last few years.

"I'd like to say that won't happen," Ruberton told KYW Newsradio. "But we do everything in our power to make it difficult, if not impossible for that to happen. But in all likelihood, drug traffickers will not stop what they're doing."

The two alleged leaders of the Head Shot gang, identified as 47 year old Diaab Siddiq (also known as Marshall Davis) of Atlantic City and 36 year old Ameer Stephens of Galloway Township, are among those in custody. They could face life behind bars if convicted. 37 of those named in the ring are charged with distribution of a controlled substance.