Two women from Ocean County were arrested in connection with their alleged involvement with the possession of heroin in Howell.
Police said that on Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m., Chelsea Price, 21, of Jackson, and Samantha Pensa, 23, of Toms River, were arrested in the parking lot of a shopping center on Route 9.
Members of the Howell Police Department Crime Suppression Unit were monitoring the parking lot for activity involving narcotics. The members of the special unit were Lt. Thomas Rizzo, Sgt. Jack Headley, Patrolman Nick Bondarew and K-9 Jago, Patrolman Ryan Richards, Patrolman David Gilliland and Patrolman James Conaty Jr.
After the team investigated the vehicle that Price and Pensa were occupying, the two women were charged with being in possession of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be heroin, possession of hypodermic syringes and various paraphernalia, and cash, according to police. A total of 172 bags of the substance believed to be heroin were seized.
Price was found to have outstanding warrants and was taken to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in default of bail. Pensa was released on a criminal summons.