Two Of NJ's Biggest Heroin, Meth Busts In 2018 Just Happened

Authorities uncovered this week two of the biggest drug busts in New Jersey in 2018, cracking drug rings that pushed massive amounts of heroin and methamphetamine in the state.

One operation pushed more than 10,000 bags of heroin a week. Authorities discovered the Monmouth County drug ring this week, and a manhunt is underway for one suspect.

Two men also were also arrested for possession of more than 50 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 9 kilograms of heroin while in Mercer County, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Monday evening.

Gabriel Acosta Villa, 29, of Lake Forest, California, and Oscar Perez Jr., 23, of Santa Ana, California, are both charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Read more: Over 50 Pounds Of Crystal Meth Seized In Mercer County Drug Bust

The Monmouth County ring was uncovered after a five-month investigation, with three members of the cocaine-and-heroin distribution ring were arrested this week. The group was also moving about a kilogram of cocaine each week, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section, dubbed "Operation Undertow," culminated with the arrest of three men while one man remains at-large.

Kurrian Grasty, 38, of Neptune Township; Terrence Wright, 47, of Orange; and Marlo Taylor, 41, also of Neptune Township, were arrested as part of the drug distribution network, according the MCPO.

Grasty and Taylor were both arrested on June 7. Wright was apprehended on June 12. After hearings before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon, both Taylor and Wright were denied pretrial release and were ordered detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution to await trial, according to the MCPO.

Grasty's detention hearing is scheduled for June 22. He also remains incarcerated in the county jail.

In addition, charges have been filed against Timothy Guest, 44, recently of Swedesboro and Irvington, and who has yet to be apprehended and remains a fugitive in this case.

Two search warrants in Neptune Township executed on June 8 led to the seizure of approximately one-half of a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 6,250 bags of heroin, a stolen .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and over $35,000 in cash, according to the MCPO.

Additional search warrants for a residence in the City of Orange and two automobiles led to the seizure of two additional kilograms of cocaine. Together, the seized drugs have a street value of over $300,000.

All four are charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, among a variety of other charges. If convicted of the first degree offenses, each defendant faces an extended term sentence of up to life in a New Jersey state prison.

The arrests were made with assistance from the following agencies: Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the Atlantic Highlands, Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Belmar, Highlands, Allenhurst, Marlboro, Hazlet, Eatontown, Middletown, Howell, Wall, Neptune Township, Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Holmdel, Red Bank, Manalapan, Spring Lake police departments.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Matthews, Director of the Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section.

MCPO photo