Cocaine Seized, Man Faces Drug Charges In Howell: Police

Howell, NJ -- An Ocean County man is facing drug charges after cocaine and marijuana were found in his car following a traffic stop on Route 9, Howell police said Thursday.

Terrill Riley, 43 of Lakewood, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

Riley was behind the wheel of a 1999 Lincoln Continental that Patrolman TJ Hurley of the Crime Suppression Unit saw driving suspiciously through a shopping plaza on Route 9 in Howell, Antunez said. The car, which Antunez said had an inoperable brake light and failing to stay within its travel lane, entered the parking lot and slowly circled the lot while Riley was talking on the phone and apparently looking for someone, he said

Eventually, the car left the plaza without conducting any business, he said, and shortly thereafter, Hurley pulled the car over in the area of Route 9 south and Estelle Lane, Antunez said. As the vehicle was pulling over, Riley was seen trying to hide something in between his seat and the center console. Antunez said.

During the course of the stop, Hurley smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, he said. Subsequent to an investigation at the scene, which included Riley giving an account of his activity in the area inconsistent with what Hurley actually observed, Riley was searched, Antunez said.

A prescription Percocet pill was found on Riley, which he did not have a valid prescription for, Antunez said. A search of the car yielded about 10 grams of cocaine packaged and stored in a terry cloth that was wedged in between the driver’s seat and center console, he said. A small amount of marijuana also was discovered, he said.

Antunez said it was learned that Riley is a known drug distributor in the area with a history of such activity.

Riley was charged with possession of CDS (cocaine/pill), distribution of CDS (cocaine), possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, Antunez said. He also was issued motor vehicle citations for maintenance of lamps and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, he said.

Howell Township Municipal Court Judge Susan Schroeder-Clark set bail at $5,000 and Riley was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institute in lieu of bail, he said.

The car was seized pending forfeiture proceedings, Antunez said. Lt. Thomas Rizzo, Patrolman Nicholas Bondarew and Patroman David Levine assisted with the investigation.