Authorities in Ocean County reported that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit collaborated with the Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Essex County Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area.
The investigation identified a residence in Newark as being utilized by Mr. Karl Murray, 34, to store and distribute heroin and cocaine in Ocean County.
Officials said on January 21, detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Department, and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit established surveillance on the subject residence in Newark.
Detectives observed Murray leaving the residence in his vehicle.
A subsequent motor vehicle stop was performed on Murray’s vehicle; Murray and his two passengers, Ms. Tayiyah Jackson, 24, and Mr. Abdul Crowley, 22, both of Newark, were detained as a result.
Police say Murray was found to be in possession of approximately 100 wax folds of heroin and $2,800 in United States Currency.
Detectives also located approximately 50 vials of crack cocaine in the vehicle.
All three individuals were placed under arrest and transported to Manchester Township Police Department for processing.
After Murray’s arrest, Detectives continued surveillance of his residence. Detectives observed Mr. John Frazier, 35, of Newark, enter the home, exit after some time, and place two boxes in the trunk of his vehicle.
A motor vehicle stop was subsequently conducted on Frazier’s vehicle.
Frazier was found to be in possession of approximately 150 wax folds of Heroin; the boxes he placed in the vehicle contained approximately 4,250 wax folds of heroin.
A .40 caliber handgun was located in the vehicle as well.
Frazier was taken into custody and transported to Manchester Police Department for processing.
A court-authorized search warrant was performed on Murray’s residence and vehicle.
As a result, authorities said detectives recovered numerous items from the residence indicative of narcotics distribution, and a .45 caliber handgun was located in his vehicle.
All four have been charged with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon During Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Hindering Apprehension and Hindering Apprehension by Concealing Another.