6 Charged After Cocaine Deal In Manahawkin: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Six people were charged Friday after police saw a cocaine deal in the parking lot behind Element Bar. Police observed Selvin Romero, the target of the six-month investigation, distributing the drug.

Police first saw a transaction involving Romero, Bethany Harris and Daniel Popick at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. During the investigation, authorities detained three other people involved in the investigation.

Romero gave police consent to search his Absecon home. Authorities also executed a search warrant on his vehicle. Police seized an ounce of cocaine, a quantity of marijuana, $800 in cash and drug paraphernalia in the investigation, Stafford PD said.

Romero, 25, of Absecon, was charged with the following:

• cocaine possession
• cocaine distribution (second-degree)
• cocaine distribution (third-degree)
• possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana

Two were charged with cocaine possession: Harris, 29, of Ocean City and Popick, 29, of Barnegat. Three others were charged with possessing drug paraphernalia and less than 50 grams of marijuana.

It was not immediately clear whether any suspects were held in jail. None were listed as current inmates at the Ocean County Jail.

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