Two Suspects Added to New Jersey's Most Wanted List

Accused cop beater and drug mill leader now sought by authorities

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The New Jersey State Police have added two suspects, Isaiah Ketchens and George Encarnacion, to the state's Most Wanted Fugitives list. Ketchens is wanted for the alleged aggravated assault of two law enforcement officers, while Encarnacion is sought for first-degree narcotics distribution related to a major fentanyl and heroin mill bust in 2019.

Why it matters

The addition of these two suspects to the state's Most Wanted list highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to apprehend individuals accused of violent crimes against police officers and those involved in the distribution of dangerous narcotics that have contributed to the opioid crisis.

The details

Isaiah Ketchens, a 32-year-old Newark resident, is wanted by the NJSP and Newark Police Department for the alleged aggravated assault of two law enforcement officers. Ketchens has a prior criminal history, including charges for gun possession and narcotics distribution. George Encarnacion, also known as George Encarnacion Pena, is 35 years old and was the leader of a group running a major fentanyl and heroin mill that was busted in 2019 in Irvington, New Jersey. The operation distributed narcotics in wax folds stamped with the same brand names linked to 93 overdoses, including 33 deaths.

  • In 2016, Ketchens was charged with gun and ammunition possession.
  • In 2018, Ketchens was one of eight men arrested on charges of distributing Oxycodone, Xanax, and Naloxone.
  • In 2019, Encarnacion's drug mill was busted, leading to the seizure of 70,000 individual doses and four kilograms of suspected fentanyl and heroin with a street value over $500,000, as well as two handguns and $165,526 in cash.

The players

Isaiah Ketchens

A 32-year-old Newark resident wanted by the NJSP and Newark Police Department for the alleged aggravated assault of two law enforcement officers. Ketchens has a prior criminal history, including charges for gun possession and narcotics distribution.

George Encarnacion

Also known as George Encarnacion Pena, a 35-year-old man who was the leader of a group running a major fentanyl and heroin mill that was busted in 2019 in Irvington, New Jersey. The operation distributed narcotics in wax folds stamped with the same brand names linked to 93 overdoses, including 33 deaths.

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What’s next

The New Jersey State Police are asking the public to provide any information about the whereabouts of Isaiah Ketchens and George Encarnacion. Tips can be submitted to the Fugitive Unit Tip Line at 1-800-437-7839 or by email to FugitiveInformation@njsp.gov.

The takeaway

The addition of these two suspects to New Jersey's Most Wanted list underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to apprehend individuals accused of violent crimes against police officers and those involved in the distribution of dangerous narcotics that have contributed to the opioid crisis in the state.