Blackwood Man Arrested as Part of Family Drug Ring

A Blackwood man was arrested Wednesday along with his son and daughter as conspirators in a drug ring that distributed multi-kilogram quantities of Colombian cocaine, as well as other narcotics, according to authorities.

Police recovered more than $100,000 worth of drugs subsequent to the arrests.

Voorhees Police Capt. William Donnelly on Friday announced the arrests of Robert F. Helsene Sr., 64, of Orchard Avenue, Blackwood, Robert F. Helsene Jr., 40, of Sandra Road, Voorhees, and Lisa Helsene, 32, of Echelon Road, Voorhees, to conclude an investigation that began in September.

Authorities executed a search warrant at Helsene Sr.'s Orchard Avenue home on Wednesday.

Neighbors reported there was always a lot of traffic in and out of Helsene's Blackwood home, located at the corner of Orchard Avenue and High Street.

Investigators with the Voorhees Police Department, Camden County Prosecutor's Office and FBI led the investigation.

Helsene Jr. procured large quantities of Colombian cocaine, Donnelly said, while his father and sister assisted him by packaging, storing and delivering the drug.

Police executed search warrants at various locations used in the drug operation on Wednesday. As a result of those raids, police recovered roughly 2.25 kilograms of cocaine, 800 Oxycodone pills, 5 pounds of marijuana, more than an ounce of hallucinogenic mushrooms and two loaded handguns, Donnelly said.

In addition to the drugs and guns, police seized the following on Wednesday:

• Two residential properties (Voorhees and Blackwood);
• Approximately $35,000 in cash;
• Six vehicles, including various models of Hummer, Chevrolet, Dodge and Volvo, valued at a total of more than $150,000;
• Numerous electronic items, including sophisticated surveillance equipment.

Gloucester Township Police participated in the execution of the search warrant at Helsene Sr.'s home on Wednesday. New Jersey State Police and Camden County Sheriff's Department personnel also aided the investigation.

All three Helsenes have been charged with numerous drug offenses, including first-degree distribution of cocaine.

Helsene Jr., who led police on a foot chase near the Route 70 interchange off Route 295, was additionally charged with eluding, weapons offenses and aggravated assault on police. He was also charged with third-degree fortified premises for allegedly placing "booby" traps in drug distribution facilities.

Charged as the leader of a drug operation, Helsene Jr. is being held in Camden County Jail on $1.9 million bail.

Helsene Sr. and Lisa Helsene are also being held in Camden County Jail pending court appearances, Donnelly said. Helsene Sr.'s bail is $785,000 and Lisa Helsene's $325,000.