Authorities charge 31 in drug trafficking operations in Burlington County

WILLINGBORO, N.J. - Federal authorities have charged 31 people in two overlapping drug trafficking operations in a New Jersey county.

Officials say the rings moved large quantities of cocaine, crack and heroin through Burlington County. 

Twenty-eight people have been arrested and accused of various roles in the rings, while another was already in state custody. Three suspects remained at-large Friday. 

Among those charged is Herbert Mays, a 62-year-old Willingboro resident who authorities say is the leader of one of the rings. It's not known if he's retained an attorney.

Authorities say they learned about the rings through interception of telephone calls, text messages, and other investigative techniques. They say the defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine from conspirators in the Philadelphia area.