JACKSON — A two-month-long narcotics investigation has culminated with the arrest of four township residents following a motor vehicle stop. Additional arrests have also been made.
In a press release, Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said that on Feb. 24 at 10:50 a.m., Police Officer Jeremy Felder stopped a vehicle on Magnolia Drive that was sought by Jackson police detectives. Kunz said all four occupants immediately exited the vehicle and became unruly.
The driver, Jamie Barnes II, 25, of Sunflower Drive, engaged in a physical confrontation with Felder, police said.
Additional officers arrived at the scene and order was restored, according to the press release.
A search of the 2007 Dodge Caliber led to the discovery of more than 1 pound of a substance believed to be marijuana.
Kunz said Barnes was charged with possession of more than 50 grams of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) believed to be marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, and refusal to submit to a breath test. Barnes was lodged in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $75,000 bail.A
passenger, Kasie Barnes, 21, of Sunflower Drive, was charged with possession of more than 50 grams of CDS believed to be marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Kasie Barnes was also lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Another passenger, Scarlett Ferguson, 19, of Kansas Drive, was charged with possession of more than 50 grams of CDS believed to be marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Ferguson was released after posting $50,000 bail.
Another passenger, Edmond Bell, 20, of Brookfield Drive, was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances believed to be marijuana, cocaine and heroin, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and conspiracy. Bail for Bell was set at $150,000.
Further investigation by Jackson police detectives led to a search warrant being executed at Bell’s residence, according to Kunz.
As a result of the search warrant, police said a loaded .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun was seized along with more than 4 pounds of a substance believed to be marijuana, 1.5 ounces of a substance believed to be cocaine, 310 bags of a substance believed to be heroin, and more than $2,500 in cash.
Assisting with the investigation were Jackson police Detectives Mitch Cowit, Frank Mendez, Scott Conover, Shawn Hobson, Robert Reiff and Michael Kelly, Detective Sgt. Donald Clark, and Felder.
According to Kunz, the arrests that were made on Feb. 24 followed a series of successful narcotics investigations conducted by Jackson police detectives.
On Jan. 21 following a month-long investigation, detectives arrested Timothy Yannone, 43, of Metedeconk Trail. A search warrant at Yannone’s residence led to the seizure of 3½ pounds of a substance believed to be marijuana, a large quantity of equine medicine, drug paraphernalia and a stun gun.
On Dec. 4, detectives conducted a narcotics investigation that led to the arrest of Ronald Reagan, 46, of Leesville Road. A search of Reagan’s residence led to the discovery of more than 10 pounds of a substance believed to be marijuana, as well as quantities of substances believed to be methamphetamine and cocaine, and two firearms.