Brick Drug Sweeps: 9 Arrested in Multiple Incidents Over the Last Few Days

Handcuffs (Shorebeat File Photo/ banspy/ Flickr)

Officers from the Brick Township Police Department’s new Street Crimes Unit, a proactive group of officers that conduct anti-crime operations, have been busy over the past several days, charging nine people with drug offenses throughout town.

The first incident occurred May 26, with SCU detectives were investigating a suspicious vehicle in the area of Yorktown Plaza, Sgt. Jim Kelly said. The driver was identified as James McColley, 39, ofToms River. During the course of the investigation, McColley was found to be in possession of a used hypodermic syringe containing suspected heroin residue, a glass pipe containing crack cocaine residue, and a quantity of crack cocaine, according to police. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic syringe. McColley was also issued traffic summonses for failure to maintain lane, driving with a suspended registration, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, careless driving, having drugs in a otor vehicle, and an unsafe motor vehicle. McColley was lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

The same at 9 p.m., Street Crimes detectives observed a “drug-related transaction” in the area of the Walmart on Route 88, Kelly said. The ensuing investigation revealed James Pasqualetto, 22, of Whiting, and Therese Howard, 20, of Lakewood, to be in possession of THC cartridges and drug paraphernalia. Both arrestees were processed and released on a summons for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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The next day, May 27, Street Crimes Unit Detectives investigated a suspicious vehicle in the Waterside Gardens apartment complex, Kelly said. Detectives identified the occupant of the vehicle as Lewis C. Bishop, 20, of Brick. Police allege Bishop was found in possession of multiple bags of marijuana. Bishop was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and was subsequently lodged in Ocean County Jail.

On May 28, Street Crimes Unit detectives responded to a report of a female possibly using drugs in the portable toilet at Wawa store on Lanes Mill Road, Kelly said. The detectives ultimately observed Neysa Rivera, 28, of Browns Mills, exit the portable toilet, “and she appeared to be under the influence of [drugs],” a statement from police said. Rivera was placed under arrest and charged with obstruction, possession of heroin, crack cocaine, alprazolam (Xanax), a hypodermic syringe, and paraphernalia. Rivera was lodged in Ocean County Jail.

That same day, Street Crimes Unit Detectives investigated a drug-related incident in the area of the Maple Leaf Apartment Complex off Herbertsville Road. Kevin M. Devlin, 39, of Brick, and Thomas J. Smith, 41, of Brick, were observed “conducting a hand to hand drug transaction,” Kelly said.

A search of their vehicle allegedly revealed a glass pipe containing suspected crack cocaine. Upon further investigation, both were charged with having approximately 45 wax folds of suspected heroin. Devlin and Smith were both charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and paraphernalia. Devlin also had multiple outstanding warrants. Both men were both lodged in Ocean County Jail.

Finally, also on May 28, Street Crimes detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle occupied by Dalton Anderson, 23, of Lacey. An investigation led to the seizure of approximately 2 ounces of marijuana, approximately 2 ounces of THC liquid, THC edibles, packaging materials and drug paraphernalia. Anderson was subsequently arrested and transported to the Ocean County Jail on a warrant for two counts of drug manufacturing, two counts of possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.