Needles 'In Plain View' Lead to Route 70 Heroin Arrests

A Lakehurst man and a Manchester man are facing several drug charges after a police officer saw several hypodermic needles and empty wax bags in plain view during a traffic stop in Lakehurst on Tuesday night.

Kevin Monahan, 20, of Lakehurst, was behind the wheel of a 2001 Buick when Officer Jason Guide pulled the car over for speeding and failure to maintain its lane about 11 p.m., Lakehurst Police Chief Eric Higgins said. In the passenger seat was John Mullen, 20, of Manchester.

Higgins said that when Guide approached the car, he could see several hypodermic needles and ”numerous wax baggies” in plain view. Guide arrested both men, and upon searching them after they were arrested, found Monahan in possession of heroin.

Monahan was charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hypodermic needle, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, driving while on a suspended license, speeding and failure to maintain lane, Higgins said.

Mullen was charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic needle, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Both were released on summonses.