13 Arrested as Gloucester Township Police Take Down Drug House: Police

Gloucester Township, NJ -- A two-month investigation resulted in the arrests of 13 people and the dismantling of what Gloucester Township Police described as a “drug house” in the Fairways Apartment Complex in the Hilltop section of the township.

Detectives and the Gloucester Township Police Special Response Team (SWAT) executed a search warrant at the apartment on Tuesday following what police described as an “intense investigation” sparked by complaints from the community.

Eric M. Bowman Jr., 26, of Lindenwold, Brittany Mealey, 21, of Blackwood, and Francis Baptiste, 23, of Blackwood, were arrested.

Bowman was charged with second-degree distribution of CDS, second-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS, two counts of third-degree distribution of CDS, second degree distribution of CDS within 500 feet of a public park, third-degree distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school and third-degree distribution of a prescription legend drug. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in default of $200,000 full cash bail.

Baptiste was charged with second-degree distribution of CDS, second-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS, two counts of third-degree distribution of CDS, second-degree distribution of CDS within 500 feet of a public park, third-degree distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school, and third-degree distribution of a prescription legend drug. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in default of $200,000 full cash bail.

Mealey was charged with third-degree distribution of CDS and third-degree possession of CDS. She was released pending a future court appearance.

During the search of the apartment, police say they recovered over 250 bags of heroin, a quantity of marijuana, a quantity of fentanyl patches, 118 prescription pills and over $12,000 in cash.

While Officers were at the scene investigating, 10 additional people were stopped and arrested as they arrived to buy heroin. Police provided these people with information and resources about the Gloucester Township Project SAVE Advocate program, to help them battle their addiction.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and released to his parents pending charges. The Gloucester Township Police Department Juvenile Family Service Unit is providing services to the child and family. New Jersey Child Protection and Permanency were also notified.

• Michael Grone, 36, charged with third-degree conspiracy to Distribution of CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance; 
• Brittany Roberts, 21, of Blackwood, charged with loitering to obtain CDS and possession of a hypodermic needle. She was released pending a future court appearance;
• Renee Zagarella, 32, of Blackwood, charged with possession of CDS (Xanax). She was released pending a future court appearance;
• Brandan Griess, 18, of Berlin, charged with loitering to obtain CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance;
• Vincent Boettcher, 22, of Berlin,charged with loitering to obtain CDS, possession of a hypodermic needle, and possession of CDS (heroin). He was released pending a future court appearance;
• Chaz Weiss, 23, of Berlin, charged with loitering to obtain CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance;
• Jake Sprit, 25, of Lindenwold, charged with loitering to obtain CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance;
• Ryan Greenland, 27, of Blackwood, charged with contempt, falsely incriminating another, and loitering to obtain CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance; and
• James Romeo, 30, of Deptford, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and loitering to obtain CDS. He was released pending a future court appearance.