3 Arrested, Manchester Man Charged With Meth Distribution: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man and two other people were arrested as authorities seized methamphetamine and heroin following an investigation into meth distribution in Ocean County, Manchester police said.

Christopher Waugh, 57, of Whiting; Jessica L. Bischoff, 36, of Manahawkin, and Frank Cragin, 58, of Toms River, were arrested Aug. 31, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Waugh and Bischoff were identified as co-conspirators in meth distribution in Ocean County during an investigation by the Manchester Township Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, he said.

Detectives identified a home on Amesbury Road in Crestwood Village 6 as being used to store and distribute meth, Manco said.

On Aug. 31 detectives and members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT team executed search warrants at the home and on a vehicle. Detectives pulled over a vehicle that Waugh was a passenger in right after it was seen leaving the house, Manco said.

Authorities found evidence of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and arrested Waugh and Cragin, the driver. Both were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, Manco said.

The SWAT Team and Manchester detectives then searched the house, he said.

"Due to the possibility that methamphetamine was being manufactured at the residence, SWAT team members took the necessary precautions of utilizing air-filtration masks," Manco said.

Detectives seized 17 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of about $1,700, 50 doses of heroin, an unspecified amount of alprazolam and clonazepam tablets, and drug paraphernalia consistent with drug distribution, he said.

Bischoff was at the house and was arrested, Manco said.

The three were charged as follows, he said:

• Waugh was charged with possession with intent to distribute more than one-half ounce of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of a Schedule IV substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Bischoff was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Cragin was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cragin and Bischoff were released on summonses per New Jersey bail reform rules pending court.

Waugh was taken to a medical facility for an unrelated health condition and issued complaint summonses pending court, Manco said.

Also assisting with the execution of the search warrant were members of the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit, which determined the home was safe and that meth was not being produced at the home, Manco said.

Residents are reminded that drug-related tips can be reported to the Manchester Township Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the department’s website.

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