The 17-year-old girl was one of five people in Somerset County charged with distributing drugs to undercover detectives following a five-month investigation by the Narcotics Task Force of the prosecutor’s office.
By: Donna Lukiw
A 17-year-old Bridgewater girl employed as a clerk by the Borough of Manville was charged with two counts of distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and two counts of distribution of CDS within 500 feet of a public park on Monday.
Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said the girl was one of five people in Somerset County charged with distributing drugs to undercover detectives.
The charges followed a five-month investigation by the Narcotics Task Force of the prosecutor’s office.
On Aug. 2 and 15, an undercover detective met with the juvenile in the parking lot of McDonald’s on Main Street across from the Municipal Complex, in order to purchase narcotics, Mr. Forrest said.
On both occasions, the girl sold less than one half ounce of powder which tested as cocaine to the detective, he said.
She was released without bail after being processed at police headquarters Monday.
Borough officials said they "do not know" about her employment when asked for details on her position with the borough.
Mr. Forrest said she was employed by the borough up to her arrest but did not know what action the borough will be taking due to the charges.
"We review the situation and deal with them accordingly," Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke said.
Others charged this week were Sertac Kraze, 20, of Bridgewater and Jeffrey Killings, 23, of Somerset, both charged with distributing cocaine. Michael Makris, 20, of Bridgewater and a Raritan Borough juvenile were charged with selling marijuana to undercover detectives.
"We have no evidence that they are related to each other," Mr. Forrest said about the cases.