OCEAN COUNTY – Three men from the Jersey Shore have been arrested and charged with a number of drug and weapons offenses. It is believed that the suspects used a motel room in Lakehurst as their storage location, according to authorities.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakehurst Police Department and Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted a collaborative investigation into the distribution of heroin and cocaine in the Ocean County area.
Billhimer said a room at the Travel Inn and Suites in Lakehurst was where the men allegedly stored and distributed quantities of heroin and cocaine.
According to a press release from the department, Detectives observed the subject individuals exit the motel room in question and enter a vehicle on December 29.
A motor vehicle stop was conducted by the Lakehurst Police Department, and all three individuals were placed under arrest for possessing quantities of heroin and cocaine. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Lakehurst Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on the motel room. As a result, Detectives seized approximately five bricks of heroin, a small quantity of marijuana, and a large 9mm capacity 50 round drum style magazine with hollow point bullets.
Arrested were:
Nicholas Ryland, 29, of Toms River, charged with two counts of Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); two counts of Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of less than 50 grams of Marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Hollow Nose Ammunition in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3f(1); and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j. Ryland is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Ahmid Fisher, 29, of Toms River, charged with Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Fisher was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Theopolis Stewart, 29, of Neptune, was charged with Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Stewart was likewise charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakehurst Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakehurst Police Department Patrol Division, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Manchester Township Police Department K-9 Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
