Police Bust Jersey Shore Pair With 35 Bags Of Heroin In Park

(Photos: John Buono II, Michael Ritz. Credit: Ocean County Corrections Department)

Two Ocean County men were charged with heroin possession Tuesday after Manchester police found 35 bags of heroin in their vehicle during the investigation of a disturbance call in Pine Lake Park, police said.

John B. Buono II, 21, of Burke Road, Jackson, and Michael Ritz, 21, of Commodore Boulevard, Jackson, both were charged with heroin possession and taken to the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, where they are being held in lieu of $10,000 bail each, Manchester Capt. Lisa Parker said.

Police responded to a disturbance call in Pine Lake Park on Tuesday, and upon arrival learned those involved had left. Witnesses described the vehicle and it was seen leaving the area and police pulled the vehicle over, Parker said. Buono and Ritz were in the car, she said.

During the motor vehicle stop, the officers learned there was a connection between the vehicle and drug distribution. Consent to search the vehicle was granted on scene, and the search turned up heroin, marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia, she said.

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