Toms River and Howell Residents Among Those Charged in Lakewood Drug Busts

Toms River and Howell residents were among the 11 charged with drug offenses following Ocean County Special Operations-led searches of Lakewood residences last week.

The searches, conducted in two homes and two vehicles in conjunction with authorities in Lakewood and Brick, led to the discovery of drugs, packaging and distribution supplies, and semi-automatic handguns, according to Capt. Jack Sramaty of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Operations Group.

On Feb. 5, county and Lakewood detectives searched a Coventry Drive residence and seized over one-half ounce of cocaine, an undisclosed amount of marijuana, $1185 in cash, and materials associated with packaging and distributing drugs, Sramaty said.

Among the four charged as a result of the search was 21-year-old James Smith of Toms River. Smith was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Smith's bail was set at $150,000, no ten percent option.

Three individuals from Lakewood ranging in age from 19 to 36 received the same charges; two are being held on $200,000 bail, while bail for the other was set at $150,000.

Days later on Feb. 8, the prosecutor's office Special Operations Group was joined by Lakewood and Brick police. They searched residences on Jeffrey and Marshall Streets in Lakewood and two cars, a 2006 Hyundai and 2003 Mercury, according to Sramaty.

"The aforementioned residences and vehicles were identified as being utilized to facilitate this drug distribution operation," Sramaty said.

Police seized cocaine, heroin, marijuana, pills, materials to package and distribute drugs, $1,000 cash, and two semi-automatic .380 caliber handguns - one a loaded Beretta and the other manufactured by Davis Industries, according to Sramaty.

"The .380 caliber Davis Industries handgun had also been defaced in an attempt to avoid identification by law enforcement," the captain said.

Taneeka Myers, 21, of South Toms River was among the seven charged as a result of those searches. She faces charges for possession of cocaine under one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin under one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Sramaty. Myers was released on a summons.

Also charged was 22-year-old Karen Gorman of Howell. Gorman was charged with possession of cocaine under one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin under one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, Sramaty said. She was released on a summons.

Xavier Nieves, 19, of Tuckerton faces multiple drug charges and is accused of possessing the Davis Industries handgun. His bail was set at $50,000, no ten percent option. In addition to drug offenses, Terrence Tenner, 23, of Lakewood, was charged with possessing the loaded Beretta while committing a drug offense. His bail was set at $100,000, no ten percent option, Sramaty said.

Two other Lakewood men were jailed as a result of the searches and a township woman was issued a summons, according to Sramaty.