Cops Seize 3,400 Dosages of Heroin From Suspected Dealers in Toms River

An investigation into drug activity led to the arrest of two Monmouth County men and the seizure of 3,400 dosage units of heroin, as well as cash, authorities said.

During the course of the investigation, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's Northern Enforcement Unit identified a 2003 Nissan Xterra allegedly being utilized by Tyrone Velez, 27, and Jahmere Crooms, 25, both of Neptune, to store and distribute heroin in Ocean County, Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said in a statement.

Detectives and Toms River police officers located the SUV in in the area of Hampton Garden Apartments located on James Street in Toms River and executed a motor vehicle stop, then searched the vehicle after obtaining a warrant, said Al Della Fave of the prosecutor's office.

Detectives found approximately 3,400 individual dosage units of heroin along with approximately $1,600 in cash during the search, Della Fave said.

Both men were arrested and transported to the Toms River Police Department. The 2003 Nissan was also seized pending forfeiture proceedings. The seized heroin has a street value in excess of $20,000, said Della Fave.

Velez, of Wayside Road in Neptune, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. set bail on Velez at $175,000 cash. He was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Crooms, of Monroe Avenue in Neptune, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. Hodgson set bail on Crooms at $175,000 cash. Crooms was not listed as an inmate in the jail on Thursday.

Assisting in the investigation were members of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit, the Toms River Police Department Operations Bureau and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Narcotics Task Force.