Cocaine Bought With Crypto, Delivered By US Mail Leads To Drug Bust In Brick

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man is facing drug distribution charges after cocaine he bought using cryptocurrency led to the discovery of an array of illegal drugs in his home, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Ryan H. Weil, 35, was arrested June 16 at the home he shares with his father, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. His father, Kenneth Weil, 74, also was arrested and faces drug distribution charges, Billhimer said.

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U.S. Postal Service inspectors intercepted a package containing about 15 grams of cocaine that was set to be delivered to Ryan Weil, the prosecutor's office said. That package was turned over to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force, which determined the cocaine had been purchased on the dark web using cryptocurrency, authorities said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and, using undercover officers, delivered the package with the cocaine to Weil's home on June 16 and watched as he retrieved the package and brought it inside, the prosecutor's office said.

Detectives then executed the search warrant and in addition to the package with the cocaine seized about 20 pounds of marijuana, and unspecified quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, Xanax, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), oxycodone, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and drug paraphernalia associated with narcotics distribution, the prosecutor's office said.

Also seized were three shotguns, one rifle, two handguns, and about $34,000 in cash, authorities said.

Both men were arrested at the house and taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

Ryan Weil has been charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of heroin/fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of more than 5 pounds but less than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, possession of less than 1 ounce of oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of less than one-half ounce of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of less than 100 milligrams of LSD with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax, possession of oxycodone, possession of LSD, possession of MDMA, conspiracy to possess one-half ounce or more but less than 5 ounces of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, 5 counts of being a certain person not to possess a firearm, and financial facilitation.

Kenneth Weil has been charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of heroin/fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of more than 5 pounds but less than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, possession of less than 1 ounce of oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of less than one-half ounce of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of less than 100 milligrams of LSD with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Xanax, possession of oxycodone, possession of lsd, possession of mdma, conspiracy to possess one-half ounce or more but less than 5 ounces of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, and financial facilitation.

Ryan Weil remains in the Ocean County Jail following a detention hearing on June 25 where he was ordered to remain in jail until trial, the prosecutor's office said.

Kenneth Weil was released to await trial under New Jersey Bail Reform rules, authorities said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Special Emergency Response Team, Patrol Division, and K-9 Unit, and Manchester Police Narcotics Enforcement Team and Drone Unit combined in the investigation.