TOMS RIVER – After a two-month investigation, two men have been arrested and charged for selling drugs in Ocean County.
The multi-agency investigation identified Jireh Mathis, 27, and Tashawn McDonald, 23, both of Trenton, as being involved in the distribution of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine throughout the county.
In early December 2023, detectives had surveillance on both Mathis and McDonald. On January 22, detectives saw Mathis and McDonald arriving at the Green Meadow Apartment Complex in Toms River in a car driven by Mathis.
Mathis and McDonald both exited the vehicle, and they were approached by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force. Mathis attempted to flee the scene but was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody. McDonald was also taken into custody without incident.
After searching them, detectives seized about 500 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl and ten grams of cocaine from Mathis. In total, they seized approximately 1,500 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl and 25 grams of cocaine throughout the course of the investigation.
Mathis was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin, Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, and Resisting Arrest. Mathis is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending trial.
McDonald was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin, and Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine. McDonald 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, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Toms River Police Patrol Division, Toms River Police Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police K-9 Unit, Manchester Police Detective Bureau, Manchester Narcotics Enforcement Team, 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.
