Bayshore narcotics unit snares 17 in drug busts
Undercover operations result in arrests in 10 Bayshore towns
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer

ERIN O. STATTEL Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin (second from left) listens as Middletown Police Chief Robert Oches speaks during a press conference held last Friday at Aberdeen Town Hall.

ABERDEEN — The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced the arrests of 17 people for alleged illegal drug sales, made possible by good old-fashioned police work by local authorities.

The Bayshore Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office's Narcotics and Criminal Enterprises Unit conducted a fivemonth undercover investigation that netted 17 individuals from 10 towns, mainly in the Bayshore, who are charged with selling narcotics to undercover police officers, Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said Aug. 8 at a press conference held at Aberdeen Township Hall.

"[These] cases represent our resolve to attack the upper level of organized drug distribution networks operating in Monmouth County," Valentin said. "Our latest effort in this regard commenced approximately five months ago. The investigations resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals on Aug. 6 and 7."

Those arrested are: Jonathan Dugan, 19, Christopher S. Gaul, 25, Matthew J. Gaul, 18, and Raymond A. Kolb, 64, all of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; Clyde K. Twigg, 58, of Keyport; Jordan V. Mabe, 20, of Aberdeen; Jared M. Weaver, 19, of the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen; and Megan Bradley, 22, George F. Weidele, 22, and Michael C. Johnson, 36, all of Hazlet;

Also, Christine M. Oliva, 26, of Keansburg; Samuel Mell III, 21, of Highlands; Joseph V. Jack, 19, of Union Beach; Anthony Cariello, 20, of Red Bank; Andrew M. Murphy, 19, and Kimberly Macrina, 43, both of Middletown; and Ronald M. Shopp III, 21, of the Belford section of Middletown.

Present at the press conference were chiefs from the 10 police departments that comprise the Bayshore Unit, including Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown and Union Beach.

The task force enables officers from the 10 municipalities to work alongside the Prosecutor's Office while continuing to work for their respective towns.

Valentin and the police chiefs explained that smaller departments work with the Prosecutor's Office on a rotating schedule.

"We have to work together, because these problems cross municipality boundaries," said Aberdeen Township Police Chief John Powers.

Matawan Borough Police Chief James Alston said that he felt his police department's program "is a good one."

"Communication, is the issue, and that is the key," Alston said.

Powers agreed and said that his department works closely with Matawan and that the sharing of information between the agencies is most effective.

"When our undercover officers come back, they share a wealth of information, and that helps us out with the next step," he said. Middletown Township Police Chief Robert Oches said that while his municipalitymay be the largest, it still feels the effect of a few officers taking part in the task force.

"Well … we had six retirements, so my staff went from 104 to 98," Oches said. "It does [put a strain] on us, but we still have to do our part. Everyone has to do their share; even smaller agencies put someone on a rotating basis."

Valentin said that each municipality's involvement and commitment to the task force demonstrates its dedication to apprehending drug dealers.

"The persuasion has been soft from our office, because these police chiefs have worked collaboratively with us, and the impact has been realized through a number of things," he said. "This demonstrates a unique opportunity for local law enforcement to work with county law enforcement."

Valentin said the narcotics sales included cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Ecstasy, oxycodone, Xanax, OxyContin and Darvocet.

"During the investigation, undercover detectives made a total of 35 separate purchases of illegal drugs. Fourteen purchases were made within 1,000 feet of school property and three of the purchases were made within 500 feet of a public property," Valentin said. "In addition, the investigation netted the seizure of six vehicles."

Valentin said the sale of prescription drugs is a "growing problem."

"Sellers are anxiously looking for a market, and that market usually includes young people," he said.

The arrests made include men and women between the ages of 18 and 64. Valentin said that 16 of the individuals charged live in the Bayshore area where the offenses occurred. Two of the defendants are brothers, he added.

At the press conference, Valentin was asked if the 17 suspects arrested were working together.

"While that is not uncommon, we do not have any reports that indicate they were," he said.

Dugan is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute and distribution. The complaints allege that Dugan sold oxycodone (a prescription narcotic) to an undercover officer in Middletown on two separate occasions in May 2008. His bail was set at $30,000.

Christopher Gaul is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute and distribution. He was additionally charged with two counts of the second degree crime of distribution of heroin within 500 feet of a public park. The complaints allege that Gaul sold heroin to an undercover officer in Middletown on two separate occasions in May 2008. Gaul's bail was set at $60,000.

Matthew J. Gaul is charged with the fourth-degree crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution. He was additionally charged with one count of the third-degree crime of distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park. The complaints allege that Matthew Gaul sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Middletown in May 2008; Gaul's bail was set at $10,000 with 10 percent.

Kolb is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution within 1,000 feet of school property. Kolb is additionally charged with two counts of the second-degree crime of distribution of cocaine within 500 feet of a public park. The complaints allege that Kolb sold cocaine to an undercover officer in Keansburg and Middletown on two separate occasions in March 2008. Kolb's bail was set at $60,000.

Twigg is charged with the third-degree crimes of possession of propoxyphene, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution within 1,000 feet of school property. The complaints allege that Twigg sold propoxyphene (Darvocet) to an undercover officer in Keyport in April 2008. His bail was set at $100,000.

Mabe is charged with two counts each of the fourth-degree crimes of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and distribution. He was additionally charged with one count of the third-degree crime of distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of school property. The complaints allege that Mabe sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Aberdeen in April and May 2008. Bail was set at $15,000.

Weaver is charged with the fourth-degree crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution. The complaints allege that Weaver sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Aberdeen in April 2008. Weaver's bail was set at $5,000.

Bradley is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution within 1,000 feet of school property. The complaints allege that Bradley sold heroin to an undercover officer in Hazlet in March and April 2008. Bradley's bail was set at $60,000.

Weidele is charged with the third-degree crimes of possession of Ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution within 1,000 feet of school property. The complaints allege that Weidele sold Ecstasy to an undercover officer in Hazlet in February 2008. Weidele's bail was set at $30,000.

Johnson is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute and distribution. The complaints allege that Johnson sold oxycodone and Xanax (prescription narcotics) to an undercover officer in Hazlet on two separate occasions in April 2008. Johnson's bail was set at $30,000.

Oliva is charged with the third-degree crimes of possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution. The complaints allege that Oliva sold heroin to an undercover officer in Red Bank in April 2008. Oliva's bail was set at $18,000.

Mell is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession Oxy- Contin, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution. The complaints allege that Mell sold OxyContin (a prescription narcotic) to an undercover officer in Highlands in February 2008 and in Holmdel in May 2008. Mell's bail was set at $30,000.

Jack is charged with the fourth-degree crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution. The complaints allege that Jack sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Hazlet in February 2008.

Jack was also charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute and distribution. The complaints allege that Jack sold oxycodone and cocaine to an undercover officer in Aberdeen in February 2008.

Jack was additionally charged with the third-degree crimes of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and distribution within 1,000 of school property. The complaints allege that Jack sold cocaine to an undercover officer in Hazlet in June 2008. Jack's bail was set at $200,000.

Cariello, is charged with the fourth-degree crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and distribution. The complaints allege that Cariello sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Middletown in January 2008. Bail was set at $5,000.

Murphy is charged with the fourth-degree crimes of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and distribution. The complaints allege that Murphy sold marijuana to an undercover officer in Middletown in January 2008. Murphy's bail was set at $5,000 with 10 percent.

Macrina is charged with two counts each of the third-degree crimes of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute and distribution. The complaints allege that Macrina sold cocaine and oxycodone to an undercover officer in Middletown in March 2008. Macrina's bail was set at $30,000.

Shopp is charged with the third-degree crimes of possession of oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution. The complaints allege that Shopp sold oxycodone (a prescription narcotic) to an undercover officer in Middletown in January 2008. Shopp's bail was set at $15,000.

Since the municipalities and the Prosecutor's Office joined forces in 2006, the ensuing investigations have resulted in the apprehension of 140 individuals and seizure of nine firearms, Valentin said.

Valentin said that detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and officers from the Asbury Park, Long Branch, Marlboro, Neptune Township, Red Bank, Tinton Falls and Wall Township police departments assisted the task force.