LITTLE EGG HARBOR – The owner of an auto shop allegedly used his business as a front to sell methamphetamine, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
After a two-month investigation, a SWAT team executed a warrant on Island Automotive on Route 9 as well as two trailers on the property. The owner, James Palmisano, 43, of Little Egg Harbor Township, was arrested.
Police said they recovered two double barreled 12 gauge silver sawed-off shotguns, a .22 caliber single action rifle, a Flintlock pistol, approximately 19 vials of suspected steroids, a quantity of methamphetamine, a quantity of hollow point bullets, numerous BB guns, and drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution.
Police said that they found two devices that had to be secured by the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad.
Palmisano was charged with two counts of Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose – specifically destructive devices, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon without a Permit – specifically a handgun, three counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically rifles and shotguns, two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device – specifically destructive devices, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device – specifically a sawed-off shotgun, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device – specifically hollow point ammunition, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Steroids, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Little Egg Harbor Police, New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad, Stafford Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Stafford Police K9 Unit, Tuckerton Police, Ocean County Regional Swat Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
