Ocean County officials announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakehurst Police Department, and Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted a collaborative investigation into the distribution of heroin and cocaine in the Ocean County area.
Officials say the cooperative, multi-agency investigation ultimately identified a room at the Travel Inn and Suites in Lakehurst, New Jersey, as being utilized by three individuals to store and distribute quantities of heroin and cocaine.
According to police, on December 29, 2020, Detectives observed the subject individuals exit the motel room in question and enter a vehicle.
A motor vehicle stop was conducted by the Lakehurst Police Department, and all three individuals were placed under arrest for possessing quantities of heroin and cocaine.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Lakehurst Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on the motel room.
As a result, Detectives seized approximately five bricks of heroin, a small quantity of marijuana, and a large 9mm capacity 50 round drum style magazine with hollow point bullets.
Police arrested Mr. Nicholas Ryland, 29, of Toms River, charged with two counts of Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); two counts of Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of less than 50 grams of Marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Hollow Nose Ammunition in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39- 3f(1); and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j.
Ryland is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
According to police, Mr. Ahmid Fisher, 29, of Toms River, charged with Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35- 5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Fisher was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Police say Mr. Theopolis Stewart, 29, of Neptune, was charged with Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1).
Stewart was likewise charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.