Man Hiding Crack Cocaine In Underwear Charged With Distribution: Howell Police

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell man has been arrested and charged with selling crack cocaine and a second man was charged with possession with drug paraphernalia after a two-month investigation in Howell, police said.

Dameon Loftland, 29, and Ralph Cavalieri, 64, both of West 6th Street, were arrested Thursday when authorities executed a search warrant at a home on the street, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

Capt. Thomas Rizzo, Detective Sgt. Jack Headley, K9 Sgt. Nick Bondarew, Detective Terrence Hurley and Detective Mike Pavlick of the Howell Police Crime Suppression Unit executed the search warrant following a two-month investigation led by Hurley that focused on street-level sales of crack cocaine, Antunez said.

There were several people in the home, Antunez said, but two men — Cavalieri and Loftland — tried to leave and were apprehended without incident, he said.

Police found Loftland hiding several pieces of crack cocaine in his underwear, Antunez said.

A subsequent search of the home turned up several other pieces of crack cocaine, various prescription/narcotic medications, marijuana, paraphernalia and more than $12,000 in cash that detectives seized, he said.

Loftland was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of controlled substances (three different counts for the controlled prescription narcotics), and possession of marijuana. Loftland was released on a criminal summons after being processed at the station under the state's bail reform guidelines, Antunez said.

Cavalieri was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipes) and released on a criminal summons as per the new bail reform changes, Antunez said.

Residents are reminded to report any suspicious/criminal activity to the Howell Police Department. Non-urgent tips of any kind can also be provided via our anonymous tip line, www.p3tips.com, Antunez said.

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