Lacey Couple Facing Numerous Heroin Charges After Drug Raid, Police Chief Says

Lacey police recently arrested a Forked River man and his fiancee after they seized 514 folds of heroin and multiple medications without a prescription, Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.

The Lacey Township Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, led by Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cornelius, executed a search warrant at a home in the 700 block of Eagleswood Place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 7. The warrant was granted after an ongoing narcotics investigation of the couple, the chief said.

Both 29-year-old Anthony Cicerello, 29, and his fiancee,Melissa Loehnert, 26, were both arrested, he said.

Anthony Cicerello was charged with possession of heroin and intent to distribute heroin. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $250,000 bail, DiBella said.

Loehnert was charged with two counts of possession of heroin, intent to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin, and neglect of a child. She was released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance. The approximate street value of the drugs seized is $5,000, the chief said.

Lacey Township Police Department began its Narcotics Unit - which consists of Lacey police detectives - in August.

"The Narcotics Detectives have been and will continue to work full-time on enforcing violations of the drug laws, including but not limited to Heroin and prescription pain meds," DiBella said.

The township is partnering with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Special Operations Group to focus on heroin and opiate dealers in Lacey and Southern Ocean County, the chief said.

Lacey police will also be working with various organizations to bring drug prevention and education programs , both in county and statewide to focus on bringing additional drug prevention and education programs Lacey, DiBella said.

Residents can forward crime tips or report suspicious activity to the police department’s website, www.LaceyPD.org/crime-tips/
Residents can contact the Lacey Township Police Department by telephone at 609-693-6636.