OCEAN COUNTY – After a two-month long investigation, authorities have charged four individuals for distributing drugs throughout Ocean County.
Investigation lead police to identifying three homes in Brick, Toms River, and South Toms River, being used by 33-year-old Orthis Allen of Bayville, 33-year-old Ashley Banks of Brick, and Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez, both 23 of Toms River, to distribute ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin/fentanyl.
On February 27, police established surveillance on the three homes. Officers observed Allen and Banks exit the Brick home, enter a 2020 Dodge Durango, and leave the area. Police pulled over the car and ultimately arrested the two without incident and transported them to Brick Police Headquarters.
Authorities searched all three homes and in total seized: 150 suspect ecstasy pills, about 41 grams of suspect cocaine, 100 wax folds of suspect heroin/fentanyl, a digital scale, paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution, and two loaded 9mm firearms – one with a high-capacity magazine.
Torres and Martinez were home at the time of the search and were arrested without incident. Officers found nothing of evidentiary value at the South Toms River homes, officials said.
Allen was charged with Distribution of MDMA, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Narcotics Offense, Being a Certain Person not to Possess a Weapon, and Possession of High Capacity Magazine. Allen is presently lodged in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Torres was charged with Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Heroin. Torres was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Anthony Martinez was charged with Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute. Martinez was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Banks was charged with Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA, and Possession of Cocaine. Banks was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Barnegat Police, Barnegat Patrol Division, Barnegat Crime Reduction Unit, Barnegat K-9 Unit, Brick Patrol Division, Brick Street Crimes Unit, Brick K-9 Unit, Brick Special Emergency Response Team, South Toms River Detective Bureau, Toms River Patrol Division, Toms River Special Enforcement Team, Toms River Emergency Services Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, United States Drug Enforcement Agency-Atlantic City Resident Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, 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.
