State v. Ellis

The opinion of the court was delivered by

PARRILLO, P.J.A.D.

Tried by a jury, defendant Saeed Ellis was convicted of fifty-three drug-related counts including second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, and first-degree leader of a narcotics traf*270ficking network, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-3. The conspiracy was merged with the “kingpin” offense, for which defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment with a twenty-five year period of parole ineligibility. Sentences on the remaining counts were all made to run concurrent. On appeal,…