Howell Man Accused Of Resisting Arrest, Steroid Possession

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township man has been charged with resisting arrest and steroid possession in connection with a massive Monmouth County bust of an organization that authorities allege was infusing regular candies with THC, authorities announced.

Alfonse D’Ambrosio, 26, of Howell Township, has been charged with third-degree possession of anabolic steroids, fourth-degree resisting arrest and fourth-degree possession of examestane without a prescription, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

D'Ambrosio was among 24 people charged as a result of search warrants following the yearlong investigation, called Operation On The Ropes. Read more:24 Busted In NJ Ring That Allegedly Turned Candy Into Drugs

Examestane is a drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who are in menopause. The drug blocks the production of estrogen, according to WebMD. Because it suppresses estrogen, it is taken by bodybuilders looking to enhance their testosterone levels, a MedPage Today report said.

D'Ambrosio's role in the scheme was unclear.

The prosecutor's office said the scheme secretly converted legitimate candies, including the popular Nerds Rope and Sour Patch candy brands, to an illegal THC-infused product. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the substance that creates most of marijuana’s "high."

The organization took regular candy, including Sour Patch candies and Nerds Ropes, laid the candies in trays and would spray them with concentrated THC. Once it dried, they would repackage the candy as illegal marijuana edibles and sell it all over the state, Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

About 21,000 packages of candy infused with suspected THC, 1,100 pounds of suspected marijuana, and more than 6,500 flavored THC vape cartridges, with a total estimated street value of $1.9 million, were seized.

More than $10 million in assets, including $1,483,859 in cash, and 21 high-end exotic vehicles, including cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Mercedes Benz, with an estimated total value of approximately $2,783,445, were also seized as part of the criminal investigation.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the activities of any of the defendants or any of the following companies is asked to contact the Monmouth County prosecutor's office: Empire Pain Center; Empire Power and Gas Holdings; Global Empire International Holdings; Supreme Lead Generations; Platinum Communication Services; Platinum Funding Associates; Jenza Properties, LLC; Dynasty Property Holdings.

Contact Capt. Maria Reverendo of the Monmouth County prosecutor’s office at 1-800-533-7443.
Anonymous tips can be reported to the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; or you can text “MONMOUTH” plus the tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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