600 Pounds Of Pot, Cocaine, Percocet Seized In Ocean-Mercer Drug Bust

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Five people, including four Mercer County residents, have been arrested in connection with an investigation into drug distribution in the Ocean and Mercer County areas, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Friday.

Ronald Walker, Christopher MacLeod, Meghan Norton and (removed) along with Dana Altieri Lakehurst face various drug-related charges.

The arrests, on April 14, came as detectives seized 3½ ounces of cocaine, 1 ounce of Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, 1 gallon of promethazine, 600 pounds of marijuana, a loaded Performance Center M&P .380 handgun, a loaded Keltec 9mm rifle with high capacity magazine, and about $158,000 in cash, Billhimer said.

The seizures were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation that identified three Ewing homes, a Lakehurst home and a motor vehicle in Lakewood as being used to store and distribute cocaine and marijuana by Walker and MacLeod, Billhimer said.

Walker, 37, has been charged with conspiracy to possess more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine; possession of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; and certain person not to possess a weapon, Billhimer said. Walker is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

MacLeod, 30, has been charged with possession of more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of more than 5 pounds of hashish with intent to distribute; conspiracy to possess more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of Percocet with intent to distribute; possession of Percocet; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; certain person not to possess a weapon; possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, and financial facilitation, Billhimer said. MacLeod is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Norton, 33, has been charged with possession of more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of more than 5 pounds of hashish with intent to distribute; conspiracy to possess more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of percocet with intent to distribute; possession of percocet; possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, and financial facilitation. Norton was transported to the Ocean County Jail; she was subsequently released by the court as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, he said.

Altieri, 52, has been charged with conspiracy to possess more than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense; possession of a large capacity firearms magazine; and financial facilitation, Billhimer said. Altieri was charged on a summons and released pending a future court appearance, he said.

The following agencies were part of the investigation, Billhimer said:

• Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force
• Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Asset Forfeiture Unit
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration - HIDTA Group 5
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• FBI
• Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force
• Mercer County Sheriff's Office Tactical Response Team
• Lakehurst Borough Police Department
• Ewing Township Police Department
• Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes and K-9 units
• Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team
• Elizabeth Police Department Narcotics Bureau and CCTV Division.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news