BERKELEY – An Ocean Township man has been charged for supplying drugs to a man which resulted in his death, officials said.
James Liu, 30, was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death in connection with the death of a 33-year-old man in Berkeley Township on December 26, 2023.
After receiving a report of an unresponsive man, officers found the victim’s body already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
According to officials, Liu had supplied heroin/fentanyl to the victim.
On December 28, 2023, detectives pulled Liu over and arrested him without incident. As a result of the investigation, Liu was initially charged with Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl, and Possession of Crack Cocaine, on December 28, 2023. Liu was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.
A toxicology analysis confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the fentanyl was the cause of his death.
As a consequence, on February 15, Liu was charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On February 20, Liu surrendered himself to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Police, Berkeley Detective Bureau, Ocean Township (Monmouth County) Detective Bureau, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and collaborative efforts 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.
