5 Charged In Point Pleasant Beach Cocaine Ring: Prosecutor

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — Five Ocean County residents have been charged in a cocaine distribution ring that was operating out of Point Pleasant Beach, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Monday.

Pablo Lezama, 43; Magdaleno Navasantos, 45; Felix Pacheco, 31; Miguel Alonso, 27, and Angel Pacheco, 44, all of Point Pleasant Beach, were arrested March 17 following a two-month investigation, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

He said investigators identified a home in Point Pleasant Beach as being used to store and distribute cocaine, and on March 17 the Ocean County Northern Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the house.

Authorities seized an unspecified quantity of cocaine that was individually packaged for distribution, and drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics manufacturing and distribution, Billhimer said. All five defendants were arrested at the house, he said.

Lezama was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and hindering apprehension, Billhimer said. Lezama was taken to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Navasantos was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, and taken to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Felix Pacheco was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and taken to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Miguel Alonso was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and hindering apprehension and released with a summons pending a court appearance.

Angel Pacheco was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and released with a summons pending a court appearance.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Ocean County Northern Regional SWAT Team, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department Detective Bureau, Patrol Division and K-9 Unit collaborated in the investigation.