Cocaine Stored In BMW Leads To Arrest In Manchester: Prosecutor

MANCHESTER, NJ —A Manchester Township man has been arrested on cocaine distribution charges following an investigation into drug distribution in Ocean County, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

Ricardo Cruickshank, 29, was arrested March 30 at a home in Manchester, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Detectives were conducting surveillance on the home and saw Cruickshank leave the house and walk toward a BMW sedan, authorities said. Investigators had determined Cruickshank was using the BMW to store cocaine, so he was detained while detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the vehicle, authorities said.

They seized about 90 grams of cocaine from the car, and Cruickshank was arrested, Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT then executed a court-authorized search warrant on the home and seized a "large quantity" of marijuana and about $1,290 in cash. The exact amount of marijuana seized was not specified.

Cruickshank was charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was charged on a summons and released pending an upcoming first appearance in Superior Court in Ocean County.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Manchester Township Police Department and its Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Ocean County Regional SWAT, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Billhimer said.