Prison for N.J. woman involved in international drug ring

Authorities said she received large shipments of cocaine in New Jersey.

TRENTON -- A Cherry Hill Woman was sentenced to 21 years in New Jersey State Prison after she was convicted on charges related to distributing drugs for an international drug ring, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

Marsha G. Bernard, 34, of Cherry Hill, was sentenced to 21 years in state prison for distributing drugs for an international drug ring, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. (Photo provided by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General) 

Marsha G. Bernard, 34, was convicted of first-degree distribution of cocaine, second-degree money laundering and second-degree conspiracy on Dec. 17, after a trial.

Authorities said Bernard received large shipments of cocaine in New Jersey and distributed them to other drug traffickers.

Bernard reportedly operated under the direction of Andrew K. Davis, 37, of Kingston, Jamaica, who was found guilty of the same charges. He will return to court in May to be tried again on the charge first-degree leading a narcotics trafficking network after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on that charge, according to the Attorney General.

The charges came from a multi-agency investigation known as "Operation Next Day Air," which involved the New Jersey State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Division of Criminal Justice. Detectives reportedly recovered more than 26 kilograms of cocaine, two handguns and more than $500,000 during the investigation, according to the attorney general's office.

"This case sends a powerful message to drug traffickers who sell addiction, misery and death into our communities," Acting New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman said. "No matter where you live, we're going to investigate you, track you down, and bring you to justice."

Bernard will have to serve six years in prison before she is eligible for parole.