By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on February 20, Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, of Toms River, pled guilty to the Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine and Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that at the time of his sentencing on April 4, 2025, the State will seek a term of 14 years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP). Additionally, Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, pled guilty to Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, likewise before Judge Vicari.
OCPO officials said at the time of his sentencing on April 25, 2025, the State will seek a term of 10 years NJSP. The charges as to both individuals are in connection with an investigation that occurred in May 2023.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of cocaine in the Ocean and Monmouth County areas, Ocean County authorities say.
According to Ocean County officials, this cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified residences in South Toms River and Brick Township as being utilized by Jenkins to store and distribute cocaine.
Additionally, the investigation identified a residence in Long Branch as being utilized by Durand to store and distribute cocaine.
Ocean County authorities stated that detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies initiated surveillance on the subject residences in South Toms River, Brick Township, and Long Branch in May 2023. On May 9, 2023, Detectives observed Jenkins meeting with Durand in Long Branch.
Jenkins and Durand were subsequently detained and found to be in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine, according to OCPO officials. Jenkins and Durand were thereafter placed under arrest without incident.
Multiple court-authorized search warrants were then executed on all of the subject residences, OCPO officials say. As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from all three residences – approximately 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in United States currency, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 50 dosage units of heroin.
Additionally, Detectives seized approximately $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Durand, believed to be related to the narcotics distribution network, Ocean County authorities said.
Ocean County officials stated that Jenkins was initially charged with Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, and Financial Facilitation. Jenkins was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Jenkins is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail on unrelated charges, OCPO officials say. 
According to OCPO officials, Durand was initially charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation.
Durand was transported to the Monmouth County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, Ocean County authorities said.