TOMS RIVER – A mother and son have both been charged for illegally running a marijuana business out of their homes, officials said.
Authorities discovered that the Toms River business called “EarthE CBD,” as well as two homes – one in Toms River and one in Brick Township – as being used by Scott Carlino, 52, of Toms River, and his mother, Ellen Carlino, 74, of Brick Township, to store and illegally distribute large quantities of marijuana and THC-related products.
Detectives surveilled the business and homes between May and September of 2023. On September 28, State police pulled Scott over on the Garden State Parkway and arrested him without incident.
After searching the Toms River business and the two homes, detectives seized about70 pounds of marijuana, 1,500 pounds of THC-related products, a 9 mm handgun, and approximately $390,000. They also seized about $217,000 from personal bank accounts belonging to Scott Carlino.
Scott Carlino was charged with Possession of Marijuana in a Quantity Greater than 25 Pounds with Intent to Distribute, Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility, Possession of a Weapon during the course of Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation.
Ellen Carlino was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Financial Facilitation, and taken into custody at the Brick Township residence.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Chief of Police Robert Dolan commended the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Manchester Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, Brick Police Emergency Services Unit, Brick Police Street Crimes Unit, Brick Police Department Patrol Division, New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Central Unit, and New Jersey State Police Troop D, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
