The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has concluded a three-month multi-jurisdictional investigation into drug activity in northern Ocean County.
“Detectives from the prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force, Northern Enforcement Unit, collaborated with the Lakewood Police Department, the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department to conduct an investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the county,” said Bryan Huntenburg, a spokesman for the prosecutor.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of five individuals. Three of the individuals who were arrested reside in Toms River.
Officials said Xavier Nelson, 29, of Toms River, was charged with two counts of possession of heroin/fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin/fentanyl over one-half ounce, one count of distribution of heroin/fentanyl over one-half ounce, two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession of cocaine under one-half ounce with the intent to distribute, one count of distribution of cocaine and possession of marijuana. Nelson was initially placed in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, pending a detention hearing.
Officials said Shanice Reason, 26, of Toms River, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin/fentanyl under one-half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine under one-half ounce with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. Reason was released pending a court date.
Officials said Dominique Swain, 22, of Toms River, was charged with possession of marijuana and released pending a court date.
“On Dec. 19 at approximately 5:30 a.m., no knock warrants were executed at (several) residences. Detectives seized quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana. Police also seized drug paraphernalia indicative of the packaging and distribution of controlled dangerous substances,” Huntenburg said.
Huntenburg said the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crime Unit, the Toms River Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, the Toms River Police Emergency Services Unit, the Lakewood Police Department’s Street Crime Unit, the Lakewood Police Department’s Special Response Team, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team joined the investigation and the arrest of the individuals who were charged.