The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is the hosting component of the Essex Narcotics Task Force. The Task Force was organized in 1987 as a multi-jurisdictional operation, and is responsible for the investigation of middle and upper level narcotics distribution cases. The Task Force approach resulted from the Statewide Action Plan for Narcotics Enforcement of 1987, which set forth a comprehensive approach to attack the drug abuse epidemic. The publication of the Attorney General's 1993 Statewide Narcotics Action Plan recognized that diverse approaches to this crisis were necessary to continue a coordinated, cooperative and comprehensive approach to drug law enforcement. Certain areas of Essex County contain both a relatively large distributor population and a significant user population. The most commonly sold and abused drugs in Essex County continue to be heroin, cocaine (including crack), and marijuana. Within the past decade, drug traffickers in Essex County have resorted more frequently to the use of violence to further their criminal operations. Therefore, the Task Force approach is now targeted at middle and upper level drug traffickers in Essex County, as opposed to short-term investigations aimed at lower level traffickers. Some recent examples of the success of this approach include:

• The seizure of 357 glassine envelopes of heroin and a loaded .9 millimeter handgun
• Assisting US Customs and Immigration (ICE) with the seizure of 40 grams of cocaine and 150 grams of heroin
• Joint investigation with the Montclair Police Department resulting in the seizure of Crystal Methamphetamine
• Seizure of a loaded handgun and over $5000.00 in cash during a motor vehicle stop
• The seizure of an SKS assault firearm and the arrest of an actor trying to sell the weapon
  

The increased involvement of organized youth gangs in narcotics related activities in Essex County over the past few years has resulted in a high level of interaction between members of the Prosecutor's Gang Intelligence Unit and members of the Narcotics Task Force. As a result of this interaction and in order to efficiently maximize limited resources, former Acting Prosecutor Campolo merged the Gang Intelligence Unit into the Narcotics Task Force in October 2001. The combined unit is now known as the Essex County Narcotics/Gang Task Force (ECNGTF).

In 2006, the ENCTF initiated 117 investigations which culminated in 209 arrests. E.C.N.T.F. investigations resulted in the seizure of over 3.8 pounds (1.725 kilograms) of cocaine, more than fourteen pounds (6.5 kilograms) of heroin and 320 pounds (145 kilograms) of marijuana. ENCTF investigations also resulted in the seizure of 200 ecstasy pills, more than 300 steroid doses and five ounces of crystal methamphetamine. The approximate street value of the narcotics seized by the ENCTF in 2006 is $50,000 for the cocaine, $325,000 for the heroin and $225,000 for the marijuana. E.C.N.T.F. personnel also seized over $166,598 in currency from drug dealers in 2006. ECNTF personnel seized 39 firearms in 2006. This number is significant given the fact the ECNTF operates with a relatively small number of personnel. Additionally, given the increase in violent crime in Essex County, removal of illegal firearms from the streets is a very important step forward in the effort by law enforcement to reduce violent crime. The ECNTF obtained and executed more than 90 search warrants in 2006.

The Essex Narcotics/Gang Task Force is supported, in large part, by federal grant funds administered by the State of New Jersey. The Task Force is staffed, at present time, by County Detectives, other state and local law enforcement officers, an Assistant Prosecutor / Director, an Assistant Prosecutor, and clerical support staff. The Task Force is engaged in long term undercover operations targeting upper level drug dealers. In addition, the Task Force conducts street level initiatives in Irvington, East Orange and Orange that are geared toward improving quality of life in designated high narcotics crime areas of those municipalities. The Task Force also interacts with the DEA, U.S. Customs, U.S. Postal Inspectors and the Port Authority Police in order to interdict drugs being transported through Newark Airport and by means of the mail and private package delivery services.
 

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