1 From Barnegat Charged In Ocean County Drug Bust: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — Three people, including a woman from Barnegat, were charged after a drug bust uncovered a Berkeley home as being used to store and deal narcotics, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

The multi-agency investigation led to charges being filed against William Manser, 44, and Jaquelynn Smith, 33, both of Berkeley, and Justina Candelaria, 44, of Barnegat, who were using the Berkeley home to store drugs, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Detectives seized about six ounces of methamphetamine, unspecified amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, and methyl enedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), plus drug paraphernalia, Billhimer said.

The county's Narcotics Strike Force teamed up with Berkeley police as part of the month-long investigation. On March 20, they established stationary and mobile surveillance on the Berkeley home, Billhimer said.

Manser and Candelaria were seen leaving the home and were detained by detectives, Billhimer said.

Candelaria had about one pound of methamphetamine on her, and Manser had "a quantity" of crack cocaine, Billhimer said.

A search warrant was then executed, finding the drugs and paraphernalia, Billhimer said. Smith, who was present at the time, was also taken into custody.

Manser was charged with the following:

• Possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
• Possession of less than one-half ounce of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
• Possession of less than one-half ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute
• Possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing project
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of heroin
• Possession of crack cocaine
• Possession of MDMA
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

He was taken to Ocean County Jail and released due to bail reform.

Candelaria was charged with the following:

• Possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Wandering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia

She was taken to Ocean County Jail where she remains detained on unrelated charges.

Smith was charged with the following:

• Possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
• Possession of less than one-half ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute
• Possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing project
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of heroin
• Possession of crack cocaine
• Possession of MDMA
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

She was taken to Ocean County Jail and released due to bail reform.