Kaelyn Deli and Grocery on Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, NJ
On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force arrested a sixth individual relating to an ongoing narcotics investigation involving a storefront at 156 Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City.
Jamari Champagne, 20, of Jersey City, is charged with two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 Feet of a School, and two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 500 Feet of Public Property. He was arrested outside the storefront and found to be in possession of over 100 glassine envelopes of suspected heroin. Champagne was additionally charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (heroin), Possession with the Intent to Distribute (heroin) within 1,000 Feet of a School, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute (heroin) within 500 Feet of Public Property. He was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the Gang Task Force, with assistance from Hudson County Regional SWAT, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a court-authorized search of Kaelyn Deli and Grocery, located at 156 Martin Luther King Drive. During the search, investigators recovered various quantities of suspected cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and money in various locations throughout the storefront. As a result, five individuals were charged with various narcotics offenses, including conspiracy and distribution:
- Donte Carlisle, 32, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
- Marc Jeune, 19, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
- Elvin Borbon, 32, of Jersey City, was arrested on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
- Rodney Chappel, 38, of Jersey City was arrested on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
- Aliquan Hatten, 38, of Jersey City, was arrested on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
At the time the court-authorized search of the storefront was conducted, the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services issued the store’s owner multiple citations for violating city health codes.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)