By: Najla Alexander
NJ AG officials announced that two Ocean County residents were indicted on charges of illegal possession and distribution of firearms and drugs.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated that George Garulle, 56, of Beachwood, and Dana Restaino, 39, of Whiting, are charged with multiple weapons and drug offenses.
According to NJ AG officials, during the execution of court-authorized search warrants at multiple locations associated with these individuals, law enforcement recovered and seized numerous guns, including “ghost guns” – privately made firearms with no serial number – extended magazines, and a quantity of methamphetamine.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that the defendants conspired to sell a defaced firearm with no serial number, NJ AG authorities said. This investigation was led by the New Jersey State Police’s Crime Suppression South Unit along with the Stafford Township Police Department.
The indictment charges the defendants with one count each of conspiracy, possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm without a serial number, transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number, manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of a weapon, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, AG Platkin stated.
According to AG Platkin, Garulle is also charged with additional counts of possession of a handgun. possession of a firearm without a serial number, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of an assault firearm, three counts of possession of a shotgun, possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, possession of brass knuckles, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and certain persons not to have weapons.
“My office’s focus on prosecuting gun crimes like those charged in this indictment is one reason we’ve been able to consistently reduce the number of shooting victims in New Jersey,” said Attorney General Platkin.