Cops: Powder, Crack Cocaine, Cash Seized in Lakewood Drug Raid

Octavius Jenkins (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

Two Ocean County men were arrested and charged with various drug offenses after detectives executed a “no-knock” search warrant at a Lakewood home Oct. 20, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.

Octavius Jenkins, 41, of Lakewood, and Joseph Smith, 35, of Manchester, are facing charges.

Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit, conducted what was termed a “cooperative, multi agency drug investigation” with Lakewood police, during which detectives obtained a no-knock search warrant for the residence located at 135 Claire Drive, Lakewood.

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Also, during the course of the investigation, detectives identified a 2006 Mercedes Benz SUV that was being utilized by Jenkins, to facilitate his alleged drug distribution activities.

During the early evening hours of Oct. 20, detectives located the SUV being driven by Mr. Jenkins in the area of Route 9 in Toms River. Jenkins was seen meeting with a man later identified as Smith. Both Jenkins and Smith were approached by detectives and subsequently placed under arrest for drug related charges, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office.

At the time, Smith was found to be operating a 1997 green Ford Taurus which was seized pending further investigation. The 2006 Mercedes Benz was also seized.

The search warrant on the Claire Drive residence was executed at about 7:15 p.m. the same day, police said. Police seized approximately 20 grams of powder cocaine and approximately 27 grams of crack cocaine along with assorted drug paraphernalia including packaging materials, according to the prosecutor’s office. Police also seized approximately $2,550 in suspected drug proceeds.

Detectives also found a rifle in the trunk of the Ford Taurus.

Jenkins was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of cocaine, one count of distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one half ounce with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski set bail at $250,000 cash for Jenkins, who was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Smith was charged with possession of cocaine and released on a summons.