Eight Arrested, Drug Distribution Hub And Meth Lab Discovered In Bayville Home: Police Chief

Berkeley police on Wednesday arrested eight people at a Grand Central Parkway home used as a drug distribution and meth lab and charged them with numerous drug offenses, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

It was the second time in two months a search warrant was executed at the home, the chief said.

The raid took place in the early morning hours. Township police officers were accompanied by members of the Ocean County SWAT team for their safety, DiMichele said.

All eight of the suspects arrested were charged with possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute, DiMichele said.

Those arrested include:

Karen Haspel, 50, Bayville
Samuel Mccurdy, 50, Bayville
Karl Lancaster, 28, Philadelphia
Michael Turner, 34, Philadelphia
Shannon Walpole, 32 Waretown
Richard Frommann, 28, Bayville
Amanda Morris, 27, Bayville
Nathaniel Small, 23, Brooklyn

Bail was set at $60,000 for Haspel, Mccurdy, Walpole Frommann and Morris. Bail was set at $70,000 for Small, Turner and Lancaster. All were taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, the chief said.

Detectives found large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin throughout the house, along with prescription pills and marijuana, DiMichele said.

They also found evidence of large-scale packaging and manufacturing of narcotics, including new wax folds, glass vials, scales and paraphernalia, which could have produced thousands of individual doses of heroin and cocaine for weekly distribution, the chief said.

Detectives also recovered what they believe to be a small, portable facility suspected in methamphetamine. A large amount of cash and a 2003 Nissan Xterra were also seized.

Members of the Berkeley Township HAZMAT and the Bayville Fire Department responded to assess the potential for hazards and explosive chemicals associated with suspected methamphetamine production DiMichele said. They quickly determined no immediate threat was present.

"This successful operation was conducted in direct coordination with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Operations Group, who greatly assisted in all aspects of this investigation," the chief said.

More arrests are expected, DiMichele said.

Residents are urged to contact the Berkeley Township police to report suspicious activity. Anyone with any information is asked to call 732-341-1132 x611 TIPS can remain anonymous.