7 Charged in Rutgers Drug Bust, Including Local Students from Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office reported seven arrests following a months-long narcotics investigation at Rutgers University, including two residents of Monmouth County and one from Ocean County.
Alongside Anudeep Revuri, 23, of North Brunswick; Joshua Duffy, 20, of Somerset; Donovin Williams, 22, of Kingston, New York; and Noa Lisimachio, 21, of New York City, Zachary Petersen, 22, of Red Bank; Catherine Tierney, 23, of Shrewsbury; and David Nudelman, 20, of Jackson have been taken into custody.
A private social media network purportedly run by Revuri was discovered during the police probe known as “Operation RU Pharm.” Sellers could post menus of the drugs they were looking to sell and buyers who demonstrated their Rutgers student status could join, browse menus and buy drugs.
According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, “a large amount of marijuana, LSD, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall, Xanax, a large amount of U.S. currency, and a firearm” were confiscated during the arrests.
- One count of third-degree money laundering, three counts of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and one count of fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia were all brought against Red Bank employee Petersen.
- Third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, three-count distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, one-count third-degree money laundering, and one-count fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia were among the charges against Tierney of Shrewsbury.
- One count each of second-degree possession of a firearm while committing an offense involving a controlled dangerous substance, second-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance were brought against Nudelman of Jackson.
- Revuri, a resident of North Brunswick, was charged with one count of first-degree drug trafficking network leadership, two counts of second-degree conspiracy to distribute drugs, and one count of third-degree conspiracy.
- Two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, five counts of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, one count of third-degree money laundering, one count of fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and one count of second-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance were all brought against Duffy of Somerset.
- Three counts of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, one count of fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, and one count of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone were all brought against Williams of Kingston, New York.
- New York City resident Lisimachio was accused of third-degree obstruction of justice and resisting arrest.
The Rutgers University Police Department, the New Brunswick Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force were all involved in the investigation.
