Narcotics Investigation Leads To Drug Charges For Manahawkin Man: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Stafford Township narcotics investigation ended Thursday, June 11, with the arrest of a Manahawkin man and a series of drug charges after police searched a home on Fairview Terrace, according to the Stafford Township Police Department.

Police said the Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit concluded the investigation at about 9:30 p.m. and arrested Richard J. Wolverton, 67. The investigation led to a residential search warrant at 40 Fairview Terrace, Manahawkin, police reported.

According to the department, Wolverton was found during the search to be in possession of methamphetamine, controlled dangerous substance packaging material and prescription legend drugs. Police charged him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of five or more dosages of a prescription legend drug, and possession of four or fewer dosages of a prescription legend drug.

The department also reported that investigators developed reasonable suspicion that Wolverton was possessing a controlled dangerous substance inside a motor vehicle parked in the driveway of the Fairview Terrace home. Detective Zach Wiatrowski then deployed narcotic K-9 Venus for an exterior sniff of the vehicle, according to police. The department said K-9 Venus gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics odor from within the vehicle, which was then seized pending an application for a court-authorized search warrant.

Police said the Drug Enforcement Unit applied for and was granted a court-authorized search warrant for the vehicle on Friday, June 12. After executing that warrant, investigators recovered an additional quantity of methamphetamine, clonazepam, drug paraphernalia and controlled dangerous substance packaging material, according to the department.

Wolverton was then additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of clonazepam, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to turn over controlled dangerous substances to police.

After processing at Stafford Township Police Department, Wolverton was transported to Ocean County Jail, where he is being held awaiting a detention hearing by the Ocean County Superior Court, according to the department.