Mother, aunt of teen charged in Newark cop’s murder arrested for running open-air drug market

New York Post - Apr 26th, 2025

Rabiyah Sorey, the mother of a 14-year-old charged with killing Detective Joseph Azcona, and her twin sister, Hadiyah Sorey, have been arrested as part of a major crackdown on the Double ii gang, affiliated with the Bloods. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin described Rabiyah as the ringleader of the gang, which was involved in drug trafficking and violent crimes in Newark. The arrests followed a brazen interview in which Hadiyah boasted about their drug trade. Authorities linked Rabiyah to multiple shootings and uncovered a drug production facility at her home.

The case highlights the persistent issue of gang violence and drug trafficking in New Jersey. Attorney General Platkin emphasized the impact of such criminal activities on local communities and reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to dismantle these organizations. The arrests underscore the ongoing battle against illegal drug enterprises and the violence they propagate, with significant implications for public safety and community well-being in Newark and beyond.

Gang Violence Drug Trafficking Newark Rabiyah Sorey Hadiyah Sorey Double Ii Gang Bloods Detective Joseph Azcona New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article presents a compelling narrative of alleged gang activity and law enforcement efforts to address it. It draws on credible sources, such as statements from New Jersey's Attorney General, to support its claims. However, some factual inaccuracies and unverified claims, such as the alleged familial connection to a detective's murder, detract from its overall accuracy.

The article lacks balance, as it primarily focuses on law enforcement's perspective without including input from the defendants or their representatives. This omission limits the article's fairness and comprehensiveness. Additionally, the reliance on exclusive statements without corroboration raises questions about source quality.

Despite these shortcomings, the article effectively addresses a topic of significant public interest, with the potential to influence public opinion and policy discussions. Its timeliness and relevance to ongoing issues contribute to its impact, though a more balanced and transparent approach could enhance reader engagement and understanding.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims, some of which align with available sources, while others lack verification. For instance, the claim regarding Rabiyah Sorey's arrest and charges is consistent with reports from New Jersey's Attorney General, which confirm her involvement in gang activities and subsequent arrest. However, the article's specific arrest date of March 24 conflicts with the Attorney General's announcement on April 22, suggesting possible inaccuracies or exclusive information not corroborated by other sources.

The claim that Rabiyah Sorey's son was involved in the killing of Detective Joseph Azcona is not supported by other sources, which raises questions about the article's accuracy in this regard. Additionally, the article mentions a $17,000 cash seizure from Sorey's home, a detail not found in other reports, indicating a need for further verification.

Overall, while some aspects of the story are accurate and verifiable, others require additional evidence or clarification, particularly concerning the familial connection to the detective's murder and the specific details of the arrest.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the criminal allegations against Rabiyah Sorey and her associates, presenting a one-sided narrative that emphasizes law enforcement's perspective. It lacks input from the defendants or their legal representatives, which could provide a more balanced view of the situation.

The absence of comments from the Soreys or their attorneys limits the article's balance, as it does not explore potential defenses or alternative explanations for the allegations. Including such perspectives would enhance the article's fairness and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the events.

Additionally, the article does not delve into the broader social or economic factors that may contribute to gang involvement, which could offer readers a more nuanced view of the issue.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the events, providing a straightforward narrative of the alleged criminal activities and subsequent arrests. The language is direct and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the key points of the story.

However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context for certain claims, such as the familial connection to the detective's murder and the specific details of the arrest. These areas are mentioned without sufficient background, which may leave readers with unanswered questions.

Despite these gaps, the article's overall structure and tone are effective in conveying the seriousness of the allegations and the law enforcement response, contributing to a clear and engaging narrative.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from New Jersey's Attorney General and court documents, which are credible and authoritative sources for legal proceedings and criminal charges. These sources lend credibility to the claims regarding the arrests and gang activities.

However, the article also includes exclusive statements from Hadiyah Sorey, which are not corroborated by other sources. The lack of corroboration for these claims, such as the alleged daily drug sales and her bold statements, raises questions about the reliability of this information.

The reliance on a single publication's exclusive interview without additional verification from other outlets or official statements diminishes the overall source quality. A more diverse range of sources would enhance the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency in its reporting by referencing court documents and statements from the Attorney General. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to obtain certain exclusive information, such as the interview with Hadiyah Sorey.

The article does not disclose whether attempts were made to reach out to the Soreys or their legal representatives for comment, which would provide transparency about efforts to present multiple perspectives. Additionally, the lack of detail on how the arrest date was determined or verified raises questions about the transparency of the reporting process.

Overall, while some aspects of the article are transparent, there are notable gaps that could be addressed to improve the clarity and openness of the reporting.