Grenade Launcher, Guns Seized During Howell Pot Farm Raid: Police

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township police got a little more than they bargained for when they raided a Route 34 home that was suspected of harboring a marijuana-growing operation, seizing a cache of weapons that included a grenade launcher, police said Tuesday.

Christopher Kilbride, 42, of Route 34, has been charged with possession of a destructive device, the grenade launcher, which fires 37mm explosive rounds; possession of a sawed-off shotgun; weapons possession while involved with drug distribution; possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana; and operating a marijuana grow operation, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

On Saturday morning, Lt. Thomas Rizzo, Patrolman TJ Hurley, Patrolman Ryan Richards and Patrolman Nicholas Bonadrew of the Howell Township Crime Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at Kilbride's home following an investigation into a “marijuana grow” operation and distribution of marijuana from the home, Antunez said.

The search turned up 30 marijuana plants that were seized along with 1 gram of suspected cocaine, he said.

In addition to the drugs, a sawed-off shotgun, handgun, rifles/shotguns and a grenade launcher were seized, Antunez said. The firearms are not believed to be stolen at this time, he said.

Kilbride was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute in Freehold Township in lieu of $352,000 bail, Antunez said, though jail records indicate he is being held without bail as of Tuesday.

A friend of Kilbride’s, Amy O’Connor, 25, of Manasquan, also was present at the scene and was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (a crack pipe) and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, Antunez said. O’Connor was released on a summons, he said.

Howell Township police were assisted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police and the U.S. Navy's Criminal Investigative Service. Antunez said the raid occurred at a home that had once been the housing for the commanding officer at Naval Weapons Station Earle, but it is no longer used in that capacity.

Kilbride has no known connection to the military, Antunez said.