Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer today announced the culmination of a cooperative multi- jurisdictional investigation into drug activity in Northern Ocean County.
According to authorities, on November 26th, H J Zaker Sindel, 26, of Brick Township and Mary C. Mazzi, 38, of Berkeley Township were arrested and charged with various drug and weapons charges a result of the multi-agency investigation.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Operations Group – Northern Enforcement Unit joined forces with the Brick Township Police Department and the Berkeley Township Police Department to conduct an investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl pills.
The investigation revealed that pills were being illegally manufactured and sold as prescription pain medications, such as Oxycodone and Alprazolam “Xanax”, and were suspected to contain heroin and fentanyl. The Ocean County Sherriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Unit Lab was able to confirm that the pills did in fact contain heroin and fentanyl.
Ocean County Prosecutor Billhimer praised the efforts of the Special Operations Group and the collaborating law enforcement agencies, “Members of our Office along with Detectives with the Brick and Berkeley Township Police Departments and the Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit executed search warrants on Monday, November 26th at 10 Nancy Drive, Brick Township and at 183 Freeport Boulevard, Berkeley Township. During the execution of the search warrants, a second-degree quantity of suspected heroin/fentanyl, three handguns, and manufacturing equipment/paraphernalia were located and seized by Detectives.
As a result of the investigation and search warrants, both Sindel and Mazzi were arrested, charged, and subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail where they were housed pending their Detention Hearings.” Prosecutor Billhimer added that “the seized heroin/fentanyl laced pills closely resemble that of legitimate prescription pain medication Oxycodone” and that “the public should understand the dangers of purchasing prescription pills without a prescription and outside of a licensed pharmacy.
These pills may contain heroin, fentanyl or other unknown and dangerous, sometimes fatal, substances.” Both defendants’ charges are listed on the following page.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
H J Zacker Sindel, of Brick Township, is charged with:
1st Degree Maintaining a CDS Production Facility.
2nd Degree Possession of a firearm during the commission of a CDS Offense.
2nd Degree Possession of a firearm while being a “Certain Persons” to not possess firearm.
2nd Degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Over one-half ounce of Heroin/Fentanyl.
3rd Degree Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl.
3rd Degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Over one ounce of Marijuana.
4th Degree Possession of over Fifty Grams of Marijuana.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Disorderly Persons Offense)
Mary C. Mazzi, of Berkeley Township, is charged with:
1st Degree Maintaining a CDS Production Facility
2nd Degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Over one half ounce of Heroin/Fentanyl
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Disorderly Persons Offense)