Cops: Brick, Toms River Residents Ran ‘Large Scale’ Heroin Network

Phillip Tarver (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A group of five Toms River, Brick and South Toms River residents ran a “large scale” network that distributed heroin and fentanyl, police charge, following a months-long investigation by a slew of law enforcement agencies.

The investigation was led by a Drug Enforcement Administration task force along with local and state police departments. The first arrests came in Dec. 2017, when officers executed three search warrants at locations in Toms River, South Toms River and Berkeley Township. The raids targeted a network police say was led by Philip Tarver, who was arrested in Brick last week.

Agents and task force officers seized over a half kilogram of cocaine, 200 grams of crack cocaine, several ounces of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and MDMA, also known as “Molly.” Officers also uncovered a heroin manufacturing and packaging facility at a South Toms River home.

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The facility had “items commonly used to ‘cut’ heroin and fentanyl and numerous empty bags used to distribute heroin,” a statement from Toms River police said. Officers also seized over $210,000 in U.S. currency and a loaded handgun.

The raids led to the arrests of:

• Yolonda Richardson, 37, of South Main Street, South Toms River.
• Kimberly Tolbert, 51, of Washington Street, Toms River.
• Fatinah Dillard, 25, of Washington Street, Toms River.
• Jamal Barney, 19, of 10th Street, Berkeley Township.

Tarver was not present at the time the warrants were served but a no bail warrant was issued for his arrest. He was located and arrested Feb. 8 by Brick police, where he was found to be in possession of a “large quantity of heroin and ammunition,” the statement said.

Suspects arrested in a heroin/drug distribution ring. (Photos: TRPD)

Barney was charged with possession of heroin and possession of marijuana.

Richardson was charged with first degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, first degree maintaining a heroin manufacturing facility, possession of cocaine and crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Tarver, Kimberly Tolbert and Fatinah Dillard were charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin/fentanyl, possession of a firearm during a drug offense and possession of MDMA.