Drug Charges Filed in Neptune Township NJ
According to the Asbury Park Press, the Neptune Township Police Department executed a search warrant on a home in Ocean Grove, which is a section of Neptune on Friday and it uncovered a cache of drugs. Based on the initial reports, it appears that the Neptune Township Police Department was deep into a three month long investigation into a drug trafficking network prior to the execution of the search warrant. The investigation was lead by Neptune’s Street Crime Unit. During the execution of the search warrant authorities uncovered ten (10) pounds of marijuana, heroin, crack cocaine, Oxycontin, various drug packaging materials as well as $4,018 in cash.
In all, five individuals were arrested and charged with various indictable (felony) drug related crimes. Three of the individuals, two of whom are Neptune residents were charged with various drug distribution charges. They were formally charged on what is known as a Complaint-Warrant and as a result they were taken to the Monmouth County Jail, which is located in Freehold where they await there detention hearings. A detention hearing is also more commonly known as a bail hearing. It will be up to the Judge to determine whether the individuals should be released on some form of pretrial release or held without bail pending trial. For more information on detention hearings in Monmouth County, please click the link. Two other individuals who were presumable not targets of the initial investigation but happened to be present during the execution of the search warrant were charged with loitering for the purposes to obtain CDS and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. Unlike the three previous individuals, these charges were issued on a Compliant-Summons and they were released after being processed. In other words, they were not have to go through a detention hearing. Since their charges are considered disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors) their charges will eventually be litigated in the Neptune Township Municipal Court as opposed to the Monmouth County Superior Court.
How Serious is a Marijuana Distribution Charge in NJ?
The most serious charges levied in this case is the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, which is a second degree crime. This is due to the fact that the seized in excess of five pounds but less than twenty pounds of marijuana. If convicted of these charges alone, the individuals will face up to a decade behind bars in addition to fine that can range up t0o $150,000. For more information on second degree criminal offenses in New Jersey, including the potential penalties, please click the link.
Marijuana Distribution Charges in Neptune Township
Although the climate around marijuana seems to be changing in New Jersey. It is important to note here that under the current state of the law, marijuana is illegal. Furthermore, if marijuana is in fact legalized in the future, quantities like this will still be considered illegal and will be prosecuted. If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a drug offense in Neptune Township or elsewhere in Monmouth County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our Monmouth County criminal defense attorneys have been defending those accused of drug offenses like possession of heroin, cocaine distribution, possession of Oxycontin with the intent to distribute and possession of MDMA for a decade now. If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation today, please contact our office at 732.858.6959 or you can try contacting us online. As always, our initial consultations are free of charge.
For more information on this case, please checkout APP’s article labeled Neptune cops seize 10 lbs marijuana, heroin, cocaine, Oxy, cash.
