Men Face Marijuana Distribution Charges In Brick: Police

BRICK, NJ — Two Brick Township residents are facing marijuana distribution charges in the wake of two arrests Friday, police said.

The first arrest occurred shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, Capt. Vincent Pacitti said. The department's Selective Enforcement Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at a home in the Lake Riviera section, as the result of a drug investigation that lasted several weeks, Pacitti said.

The search uncovered several bags of marijuana (under 50 grams), packaging material and $260 in cash, all of which were seized during the search, he said.

A 23-year-old Brick resident was charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He was taken to the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $25,000 bail, Pacitti said, but apparently bail was posted on Saturday as no one by that name was listed in online jail records as of Saturday evening.

(UPDATE/Editor's note: The charges of marijuana distribution were dropped as part of a plea agreement where the man pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana. As a result, his name has been removed from this article.)

A few hours later, members of the SET team pull over a vehicle in the area of Brick Boulevard and Cedar Bridge Avenue, Pacitti said.

As a result of the stop, a red backpack was found in the rear cargo section of the vehicle, he said. All five of the vehicle’s occupants denied ownership of the bag, he said, and a search of it revealed a large quantity of marijuana (more than 100 grams), a digital scale, a cell phone and several items of clothing, Pacitti said.

After interviewing all of the vehicle’s occupants it was determined that the backpack belonged to the rear passenger, Joseph Boyer, an 18-year-old Brick resident, he said.

Boyer was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he remained Sunday, being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to jail records.

Marijuana, by keep_bitcoin_real, via Flickr under Creative Commons license