TOMS RIVER – Two men pled guilty to selling cocaine as part of a six-figure drug network throughout the area.
Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, of Toms River, pled guilty to Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine and Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. He faces a term of 14 years at his sentencing on April 4.
Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, pled guilty to Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. He is facing 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 25.
The charges stem from an investigation into drug dealing in Monmouth and Ocean counties, leading to homes being searched in South Toms River, Brick, and Long Branch.
Detectives watched these homes, and observed Jenkins meeting with Durand in Long Branch on May 9, 2023. They were arrested with approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
The three residences were searched, resulting in approximately 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in cash, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 50 dosage units of heroin. Additionally, police seized approximately $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Durand, believed to be related to the narcotics distribution network.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Kelly who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration-High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Jenkins’ and Durand’s guilty pleas – and soon their state prison sentences.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
