Brick Man Pleads Guilty In Drug Distribution Ring Role

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man has pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges in his role in a cocaine distribution ring that operated in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday.

Andrew Contaldi, 47, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Lisa A. Puglisi to possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The state will recommend a 10-year prison sentence at sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 12, he said.

Contaldi was arrested in October 2021 as part of "Operation Checkmate," which was a 4-month-long cooperative, multi-jurisdictional investigation, which Billhimer said involved three investigations and about 50 additional law enforcement officers who were assigned to the prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force on a full-time basis.

"Multiple agencies — both within and outside of Ocean County — assisted in every aspect of all three investigations," which started in July 2021, Billhimer said.

The three cocaine networks were responsible for the import of more than 3 kilograms of cocaine per week into the Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex County areas. Through sophisticated surveillance methods and undercover operatives, “Operation Checkmate” was successful in disrupting and dismantling illicit controlled dangerous substance distribution activities in these three counties, as well as New York City, he said.

There were 24 people arrested Oct. 26, 2021 for various offenses involving distribution of controlled dangerous substances, and 24 search warrants were executed resulting in the seizure of more than four kilograms of cocaine, over 15 pounds of marijuana, in excess of $650,000 in cash , seven firearms (three handguns, three “ghost guns,” and one pistol grip shotgun), 10 vehicles, and additional illegal narcotics.

Contaldi specifically was arrested Oct. 26 as detectives executed a search warrant at his home, where they seized about 397 grams of cocaine and $19,500. He has been held at the Ocean County Jail since then.

Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke is handling the case on behalf of the state.

The following agencies were involved in the investigation:

• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force
• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit
• Ocean County Regional SWAT Team
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration - HIDTA Group 5
• Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force
• New Jersey State Police - Trafficking Central Unit
• New Jersey State Police Teams Unit
• New Jersey Air National Guard Counter Drug Task Force
• Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit
• Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force
• Matawan Borough Police Department
• Matawan Borough Police Department K-9 Unit
• Keyport Borough Police Department
• Manalapan Township Police Department
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Field Services Unit
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit
• Barnegat Township Police Department
• Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit
• Brick Township Police Department Special Response Team
• Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit
• Beachwood Borough Police Department
• Berkeley Township Police Department
• Jackson Township Police Department
• Lakewood Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit
• Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team
• Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit
• Manchester Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team
• Ocean Township Police Department (Waretown)
• Point Pleasant Borough Police Department
• South Toms River Police Department
• Stafford Township Police Department
• Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit
• Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit
• Toms River Township Police K-9 Unit
• Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
• Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit
• Aberdeen Township Police Department
• Asbury Park Police Department
• Hazlet Township Police Department
• Hazlet Township Police Department K-9 Unit
• Keansburg Borough Police Department
• Marlboro Township Police Department
• Middletown Township Police Department
• Sea Bright Borough Police Department
• Old Bridge Township Police Department - Bureau of Narcotics
• Union Beach Borough Police Department
• Union Beach Borough Police Department K-9 Unit
• New York City Police Department – 50th Precinct Field Intelligence Office
• and the City of New York Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor.