Residents from Keyport and Red Bank have been charged with being accomplices in a heroin tracking network that was selling thousands of bags of heroin to residents in the Bayshore area and parts of Monmouth County, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Several other residents from Keyport, Middletown and Hazlet have been charged with purchasing narcotics from one of more of the distributors, according to the press release.
James Granberg, 42, of Keyport, and Matthew Rowland, 34, of Red Bank are two of eight individuals who have been charged, according to the press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
The eight individuals have been charged with second degree Conspiracy, first degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, first degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, according to the press release.
The investigation revealed that members of this heroin trafficking network sold substantial quantities of fentanyl-laced heroin on a daily basis to members of the public at locations in the Bayshore region, according to the press release.
It is estimated that the operation pumped out 20,000 bags of heroin monthly. The bags carried a street value of approximately $200,000 to $400,000, according to the press release.
The investigation led to charges against 23 people who were purchasing narcotics from one or more of the distributors in the heroin trafficking network, according to the press release.
The individuals who purchased narcotics are as follows: Brianne Benedetto, 29, of Millstone; Barbara Bryk, 51, and her husband Randy Bryk, 54, Port Monmouth section of Middletown; Keith Chanley, 28, of South Amboy; Matthew Demko, 38, of Keyport; Nicole Fox, 33, of Keansburg; Eric Greer, 55, of Morganville; Kyle Groat, 31, of Middletown; Ashley Groc, 25, of South Amboy; Emily Heun, 34, of the Leonardo section of Middletown; David Isaksen, 42, of Leonardo section of Middletown;
Jacquelin Kelly, 53, of Keansburg; Veronica Lapsley, 42, of Keansburg; Sean LaFata, 35, of Keyport; Brittany Matias, 23, of Port Monmouth section of Middletown; DebbieJo Mezzacappa, 29, of Leonardo section of Middletown; Ranya Mobarak, 31, of Hazlet; Daniel Notaroberto, 32, of Middletown; Anthony Pane a/k/a “Bug”, 28, of Hazlet; Anthony Schiano, 30, of Keyport; Alfred Valli, 54, of Middletown; Kurt Westendorf, 60, of Keansburg; and Melissa Whiteman, 30, of Hazlet.
All 23 individuals were charged with third degree Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance and third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, according to a press release. Benedetto, Isaksen, and Mezzacappa remain at-large.
According to documents filed in the case and information developed during the investigation, Anthony Distaulo, 33, of Jackson, acted as the alleged leader of the heroin trafficking network.
The investigation into this narcotics trafficking network remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information concerning any of the individuals charged, or the whereabouts of the defendants still at-large, should contact Detective Adam Mendes of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 ext. 4832.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” and their tip to 274637.
Tips can be emailed to www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.