Brick Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Joint Investigation

A Brick Township man has been arrested for drug possession and intent to distribute after a multi-agency investigation, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Monday.

Morris Leon Howard, 39, known as “Pudgy,” was arrested and charged with Possession of Xanax, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine over one half ounce with Intent to Distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrest followed an investigation by detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit and the Brick Township Police Department.

During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained a no knock search warrant for Howard’s residence on Hillside Avenue.

Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Northern Enforcement Unit, along with members of the Brick Township Police Department, and the Brick Township Police Emergency Services Unit executed the search warrant on June 23 and seized approximately 60 grams of cocaine, Xanax and assorted drug paraphernalia, including packaging materials and a digital scale.

Police said they also seized approximately $15,000 in suspected drug proceeds.

The Honorable Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels P.J.Cr.P. set bail at $100,000 cash for Howard, who was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.