Camden Man Admits to Trafficking Oxycodone Pills

A man from Camden admitted to conspiring to distribute and selling high-dose oxycodone pills in connection with his role in a drug trafficking ring on Friday

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said 48-year-old Erick Bell pleaded guilty Friday before a judge to an information charging him with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute quantities of oxycodone.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Bell admitted that on multiple occasions from January 2020 to March 2020, he worked with Rocco DePoder, 67, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, Alfred Kee Jr., 52, of Blackwood, New Jersey, and others to sell oxycodone in and around Camden and Gloucester City. For example, Bell admitted that on Feb. 3, 2020, he obtained 160 80 mg. oxycodone pills from Kee, and sold DePoder 60 of the pills for $25 each and 100 of the pills to Maurice Williams for $24 each. Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance – meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and abuse of the drug may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or twice the gross loss or gain caused by the offenses, whichever is greater.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 12th.

Eight other defendants previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offenses involving the distribution of prescription drugs. They, too, are awaiting sentencing.