Bust Yields 782 Folds Of Heroin, $2,248, And A .38 In Ocean County

More than 780 doses of heroin and more than $2,200 in cash was seized after Toms River police arrested and charged two men with drug distribution after a tip led them to dealing going on at a Route 37 business.

Ansel Applewhite, 23, of Hopes Crossing, Toms River, and Eugene Ayala Jr., 20, of Halliard Avenue, Beachwood, have been charged in the incident, Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department, said Thursday.

Police received a tip on Sept. 30 about possible narcotics activity at Certified Funding on Route 37 east and the department’s Special Enforcement Team set up surveillance, Stocco said. The officers saw Applewhite leave the business and conduct what was believed to be a narcotics transaction on Adams Avenue, he said. When they approached Applewhite, the officers found him to be in possession of 762 wax folds of heroin, 8 alprazolam pills and $2,248 in U.S. currency, Stocco said.

Further investigation revealed an associate of Applewhite’s, Eugene Ayala Jr., was left behind at the business. Ayala was located and found to be in possession of a loaded .38 caliber handgun along with 20 wax folds of heroin, Stocco said.

Applewhite was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin more than one-half ounce with the intent to distribute, and possession of alprazolam. His bail was set at $150,000, no 10 percent, Stocco said, which was subsequently posted according to jail records.

Ayala was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and possession of firearm while committing a drug offense. Stocco said his bail was set at $100,000, no 10 percent, and jail records indicate he has posted bail as well.