5 Charged In Cocaine Bust At Berkeley Senior Community: Police

BERKELEY, N.J. — Five people were charged in an investigation involving cocaine distribution out of a Berkeley Township senior community Monday, police said. The Berkeley Township Detective Bureau executed a search warrant on a Wojtyla Ct home in the Holiday City South senior community, officials said.

Police said they discovered a large quantity of cocaine, packaged for distribution as crack cocaine. Authorities also found paraphernalia used to produce, package and distribute the drug, as well as a substantial amount of cash.

Drug dealers often use senior communities because they offer anonymity in a quiet neighborhood and a false sense of security, Berkeley police said. The home was seen as a major drug supplier throughout Berkeley Township and neighboring districts, police said.

The following were charged:

• Taquan Pearson, 37, of Wojtyla Ct, Berkeley, with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.

• Edwin Nieves, 42, of Wojtyla Ct, Berkeley, with possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Nicole Vorhees, 48, of Route 9, Berkeley, with possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Lynsay Leitner, 39, of Wojtyla Ct, Berkeley, with possession of paraphernalia and a failure to appear warrant for $350.00.
• Michelle Lanzieri 52, of Wojtyla Ct, Berkeley, with possession of drug paraphernalia

Pearson and Nieves were taken to Ocean County Jail, police said. Vorhees, Leitner and Lanzieri were processed and released on a summons, according to authorities.

Local residents had relayed their concerns to police. Residents can report suspecious activity to the Berkeley Police at 732-341-1132 x611. Tips can be anonymous.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Berkeley Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.