MANCHESTER – A routine motor vehicle stop in the Leisure Village West section of town ends with the arrests of two Ocean County residents on drug charges.
Manchester Police said the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 25-year-old Jonathan Witczak of Barnegat, was stopped on Route 70 near Buckingham Drive and Yorkshire Court on Wednesday, December 19th by members of the Narcotics Enforcement Team.
A search of the vehicle found 200 bags of heroin, 33 Suboxone sublingual films, 4 Alprazolam pills, 6 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia; an approximate street value of over $2,000.
Witczak faces a number of possession with intent to distribute charges. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and hypodermic needles and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.
38-year-old John Pellegrinelli of Manchester was a passenger in the vehicle. He was also charged with similar possession and distribution charges. Pellegrinelli also remains at the Ocean County Jail.
Also assisting in the investigation were members of the Manchester Township Police K9 Unit.
Police want residents to know they can report drug and crime tips can be reported anonymously by calling 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” link.
