Lacey Police Find 435 Bags Of Heroin In Forked River Man's Engine Compartment

Lacey police discovered 435 bags of heroin hidden in the engine compartment of a Forked River man's vehicle recently, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Lacey detectives stopped Brian Cleary, 33, 536 Devon Street, on Western Boulevard on the afternoon of June 22. The motor vehicle stop was of an ongoing heroin distribution investigation. Cleary provided false information to police, the chief said.

But during a subsequent search, detectives located the heroin in the engine compartment, Paprota said.

Cleary was arrested and charged with possession of heroin, distribution of heroin and intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of the Mill Pond Elementary School, the chief said.

Ocean County Superior Court Judge Melanie Appleby set his bail at $90,000. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. A K-9 Unit from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the search, Paprota said.