K-9 officer helps round up suspects

K-9 officer helps
round up suspects

MANALAPAN — A K-9 officer’s nose for narcotics helped lead to the arrest of two women on Aug. 18.

Police observing traffic on the Route 33 bypass stopped a vehicle at 5:40 p.m. After an officer observed the two occupants of the vehicle switch seats, K-9 officer Max was called to the scene and conducted an exterior narcotics search of the vehicle. According to a police press release, a positive indication was made on the passenger side door.

After being let into the van, Max began biting at a cosmetics bag he found under a seat. Police said a sandwich bag half full of a substance believed to be cocaine was found.

A further search revealed a candy box that contained numerous plastic bags and two vials that contained a white residue, according to police.

Officers arrested Jessica White, 18, of Richmond, Va., and Ayse Hall, 21, of Loveland, Ohio, and charged both women with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) believed to be cocaine and possession of CDS with intent to distribute. Both women were placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in default of $10,000 bail.

As of Aug. 23, White remained in the county jail; Hall had been released.