Brick PD Street Crimes Unit Makes Six Drug, Weapons Busts

Handcuffs (Shorebeat File Photo/ banspy/ Flickr)

The Brick Township Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit has been busy undertaking proactive investigations, leading to numerous drug busts over the last several weeks, the department said in a statement issued Thursday.

On Aug. 3, Street Crimes Unit (SCU) detectives conducted surveillance of the Wawa located at 595 Brick Blvd. According to Ptl. Victoria Finelli, during the surveillance, the detectives “observed a suspicious vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop with the assistance of patrol officers after observing several motor vehicle violations.” Ptl. Scott Smith and his K9 partner “Echo” responded to the scene and Echo indicated on the vehicle, leading to a search of the vehicle.  The search of the vehicle, Finelli said, resulted in the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine packaged for resale in multiple plastic bags. In addition, a quantity of Clonazepam pills were also located in the vehicle.

The driver, Kristina L. Wilson 36, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia. Kristina was also issued traffic summonses for careless driving, possession of drugs in a motor vehicle, failure to possess a valid proof of insurance, illegal safety glass and obstruction of view. Wilson was released on a summons.

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The passenger, Michael C. Malinowski, 41, of Brick, was charged with simple possession of drugs, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. Malinowski was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

The following day, Aug. 4, SCU detectives received anonymous tips of “possible drug dealing occurring at an address on Hulse Landing Road,” Finelli said. The detectives responded and conducted surveillance, ultimately observing a vehicle pull up to the residence which “appeared to be drug activity.”

A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle with the assistance from patrol officers. At that point, Ptl. Raymond LaPoint and his K9 partner “Rebel” arrived on scene and Rebel indicated on the vehicle, Finelli said. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a quantity of oxycodone pills as well as a quantity of buprenorphine pills, and a switch blade, according to police.

The driver, Jacob Kahl, 43, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and possession of prohibited weapons. Kahl was also issued traffic summonses for careless driving, failure to maintain lane, possession of drugs in a motor vehicle and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. He was processed and released on a summons.

At the same location, SCU detectives, with the assistance of patrol officers, approached a suspicious vehicle on Hulse Landing Drive. LaPoint and K9 “Rebel” arrived on scene again, and Rebel indicated on the vehicle, Finelli said.

An investigation led to the search of the vehicle resulting in the seizure of Xanax, sulfamethoxazole hydrochloride, oxycodone, anabolic steroids, and drug paraphernalia, police allege. The driver, Joseph Cafasso, 51, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prescription legend drug, and possession of a substance with the intent to distribute. He was also issued a summons for drugs in a motor vehicle.

The passenger, Michael Restaino, 63, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prescription legend drug, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a substance with the intent to distribute and possession of anabolic steroids on two counts. Cafasso and Restiano were both transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Finally, on Aug. 10, SCU detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop at 550 Route 70, near the P.C. Richards shopping plaza. The stop resulted in the seizure of a glass pipe containing crack cocaine, Finelli said. Monta Johnson, 43, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Johnson was also issued a summons for careless driving and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle. Johnson was transported to the Ocean County Jail.