Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with local law enforcement to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area.
This cooperative, multi-agency investigation ultimately identified a residence in the Forked River section of Lacey Township as being utilized by Jason Close, 41, of Lacey Township, to store and distribute quantities of Methamphetamine.
In furtherance of the investigation, members of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and units from local law enforcement conducted surveillance on Jason Close in Toms River on February 11.
According to officials, Members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department were able to detain and arrest Close without incident on that date. As a result, approximately 150 grams of Methamphetamine was seized from Close.
Officials said that a subsequent court-authorized search of Close’s residence resulted in the seizure of a quantity of marijuana, packaging material indicative of distribution purposes, and approximately $780 in cash.
According to county officials, Close was arrested and charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Close was processed at Toms River Township Police Headquarters and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.