Atlantic City Drug Operator Sentenced to 20 Years
Joseph Andrews received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to operating a narcotics facility.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Drug Crime
A New Jersey judge has sentenced 42-year-old Joseph Andrews to 20 years in state prison for running a drug production facility. The conviction follows his guilty plea on charges related to manufacturing and distributing cocaine and methamphetamine.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes an investigation into a trafficking operation that spanned between Brooklyn and Atlantic City. It marks the final legal resolution for the defendant, who also faces outstanding drug charges in Kings County, New York.
Joseph Andrews was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison on October 28, 2026. He remains held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility while the case reaches this final conclusion.
The players
Joseph Andrews
The 42-year-old defendant who traveled between Brooklyn and Atlantic City to manufacture and distribute narcotics.
Atlantic County Justice Facility
The local detention center where the defendant has been held since his arrest in January 2025.
The details
Andrews utilized a property at 64 N. Pennsylvania Avenue and a room at a Super 8 Motel as production hubs for his narcotics operation. He pleaded guilty on April 27, 2026, to one count of maintaining a narcotics production facility and two counts of possession with intent to distribute.
Timeline
January 9, 2025: Investigators executed a search warrant at 64 N. Pennsylvania Avenue.
January 23, 2025: Joseph Andrews was arrested and detained in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
April 27, 2026: Joseph Andrews pleaded guilty to three drug offenses.
October 28, 2026: Joseph Andrews was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Legal Context
This sentencing aligns with the state's aggressive prosecution of narcotics production facilities under New Jersey's Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. The case reflects a broader trend of cross-jurisdictional collaboration between law enforcement agencies to dismantle interstate drug rings.
The closure of these two drug production sites removes active illicit operations from local Atlantic City neighborhoods. Residents in the area near N. Pennsylvania Avenue and the affected motel should no longer face the specific safety risks associated with these production locations.
The takeaway
The dismantling of this facility serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to disrupt interstate drug trafficking. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to help authorities address similar operations early.
Further reading
For more information on local legal enforcement, visit the drug-crime section.
