Police, Fire & Courts

Brick Man Charged in 1.2-Kilo Cocaine Bust, More Than $500K Seized

by
Daniel Nee
May 22, 2023

Octavaeous Jenkins (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A Brick man and his alleged accomplices were using a home in the township – as well as others in surrounding municipalities – as part of a network of stash houses where more than a kilogram of cocaine was seized along with more than $500,000 in proceeds and cash.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with police from Brick, Lakewood and Long Branch in the investigation, along with federal authorities, to investigate a cocaine distribution network in Ocean and Monmouth counties. According to a statement from prosecutors, the cooperative investigation identified a residence in South Toms River and a residence in Brick Township, as being utilized by Octavaeous Jenkins, 49, to store and distribute cocaine. Additionally, the investigation identified a residence in Long Branch, as being utilized by Ralph Durand, 56, Krystal Villano, 36, Emily Durand, 53 and Jaiden Durand, 18, to store and distribute cocaine.

Detectives from the aforementioned agencies initiated surveillance on the residences in South Toms River, Brick Township and Long Branch, and on May 9, “observed Jenkins meeting with Durand in Monmouth County.”

Jenkins and Durand were detained and found to be in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Jenkins and Durand then placed under arrest.

The arrest led to the issuance of multiple court-authorized search warrants, which were then executed on all of the suspected residences. As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from all three residences – approximately 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in cash, 20 grams of crack cocaine and 50 dosage units of heroin.

Emily Durand, Jaiden Durand and Villano were placed under arrest at the residence in Long Branch. Additionally, detectives seized approximately seized $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Ralph Durand and Villano, “believed to be related to their narcotics distribution network,” according to prosecutors.

The following charges were levied against the suspects, according to the statement:

Jenkins was charged with Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Financial Facilitation. Jenkins was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ralph Durand was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Financial Facilitation. Durand was transported to the Monmouth County Jail, where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Krystal Villano was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Financial Facilitation. Villano was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
aiden Durand was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Financial Facilitation. Villano was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Emily Durand was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Financial Facilitation. Villano was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Only Jenkins’ photograph was available. The addresses of the suspect residences were not divulged.