Meth Found During Manahawkin Traffic Stop, Police Say

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Stafford Township police charged a Point Pleasant man after a motor vehicle stop Tuesday afternoon in Manahawkin that police said led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to the Stafford Township Police Department, Patrolman Patrick Walker conducted the stop at about 2 p.m. April 14, 2026, in the area of Route 9 and Bolton Lane. Police identified the driver as Bernard P. Munzelle, 25, of Beech Street in Point Pleasant.

During the stop, Walker developed reasonable suspicion that Munzelle was possessing a controlled dangerous substance inside the vehicle and or on his person, according to the police account. Police then requested Detective Zach Wiatrowski and his narcotic K-9 partner, Venus, to respond and conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle.

The department reported that K-9 Venus gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics odor coming from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle then revealed a quantity of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to police.

Munzelle was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree crime, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense, according to the department.

After he was processed at Stafford Township Police Department, Munzelle was released on a summons, police reported. The department said he is scheduled to appear at a future date in Ocean County Superior Court.