NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) have charged 26 individuals in connection with a violent and organized drug trafficking ring known as the “Double ii – Queen Street Blood Gang.” The group allegedly trafficked heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine while using violence to enforce control over the Newark-based operation.
The alleged leader, Rabiyah Sorey, 43, of Elizabeth, faces a long list of charges including first-degree racketeering, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and multiple assaults. Authorities identify Sorey as the head of the “Newark Set,” operating primarily from the 200 block of North 9th Street, an area described as an open-air drug market.
Investigators say the gang carried out violent acts to discipline members, retaliate against rivals, and enforce Sorey’s authority. Among the incidents under investigation:
A road rage shooting in Irvington allegedly orchestrated by Sorey and co-defendant Nicole Jones (April 2023)
The shooting of a gang associate in the face over a drug debt (July 2023)
A domestic dispute where Sorey allegedly fired at bystanders (April 2024)
Social media threats and claims of hostage-taking involving a person identified as “K.W.” (May 2024)
A shooting of a man identified as “A.C.” on North 12th Street (July 2024)
A firearm linked to several of the shootings was recovered in September 2024.
In March 2025, a court-authorized search of a residence in Elizabeth shared by Sorey and Jones uncovered a drug production facility, 91 grams of heroin, cash, and branded packaging materials tied to the gang’s distribution operations.
Additional defendants include Malachi Bostwick, Gianni Bowens, Zion Carson, Amani Faines, Jonathan Harris, Jalil Morris, Alkadair Ports, Amir Reynolds, Nathaniel Robinson, Blaine Simmons, Omar Smith, Bashir Sorey, Safeeullah Sorey, Michael Sosa, Jeffrey Uhrig, Robert Walton, and William Walton—alleged to be enforcers, street dealers, and coordinators in the operation.
The investigation was spearheaded by the DCJ Major Threats Division, in collaboration with the Newark Police Division’s Intelligence Unit, the Elizabeth Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
