MANCHESTER – What do you get when you cross a vacant residence, a suspicious package loaded with crystal meth and a police probe? No, it’s not an episode of Breaking Bad but a real life drama.
Manchester Township Police confirmed a 77-year-old Crestwood Village man is facing charges after police seized $88,000 worth of the dangerous street drug.
Captain Todd Malland said the package was delivered to a vacant home on Valley Forge Drive In Whiting on Tuesday.
James Sweeney of Manchester was charged with Criminal Attempt Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine over 5 Ounces, Criminal Attempt Possession of Methamphetamine, Loitering for the Purpose to Obtain a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of THC, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Police were dispatched to the house and upon arriving, they observed the package which contained a clear, rock-like substance, believed to be crystal methamphetamine.
Police called in additional units including the Manchester Township Office of Emergency Management, Berkeley Township Hazmat Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit.
The area was deemed safe and CSI confirmed the substance tested positive for methamphetamine.
That’s when detectives from the Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) as well as detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The property’s owner did not know why the package had been sent to the residence so police set up surveillance to see who would show up and claim it.
A suspicious male was seen driving around the neighborhood multiple times that evening, police said. He came back the next morning, took the box and put it in his car.
He was arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Police found approximately 2 pounds of crystal meth which is about 878 grams.
Also assisting in the investigation were members of the Manchester Township Police Criminal Investigations and K9 Units as well as the United States Postal Service.
Sweeney was released on a summons and given a court date to appear.
Manchester Police remind all residents that drug and crime tips can be reported to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” link.
