MANCHESTER – A father and son were recently arrested by the Manchester Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team after the duo was caught growing 29 marijuana plants in their backyard.
Officers from the Narcotics Enforcement Team (N.E.T.) received a tip that someone in the home was growing marijuana there, and after an investigation launched and surveillance was set up in the area, the team secured a search warrant that ultimately led to the arrests of 37-year-old Michael Ponsiek and his 63-year-old father Richard Ponsiek.
During an early morning search of the Weldon Road home, N.E.T. and Ocean County Regional SWAT team officers found the 5- to 6-foot marijuana plants growing in the backyard, as well as 711 additional grams of marijuana, drug packaging and distribution materials, hypodermic syringes, crack cocaine, a stun gun and a .22 caliber revolver.
The Ponsiek son was charged with one count each of Maintaining a CDS Manufacturing Facility, Possession of and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 500 Feet of a Park, Possession of a Stun Gun, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Hypodermic Syringes.
Ponsiek’s father Richard was charged with one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 500 Feet of a Park, Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Marijuana over 50 grams and Possession of Prohibited Weapons.
Officers from the Manchester Police Department’s Investigations, Patrol Bureau and K-9 Unit assisted in the investigation, along with detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit.
Residents can report drug related tips to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111, or online via the Department’s website manchesterpolicenj.com by clicking the “Tip Line” link.
