2 Toms River Men Charged In Illegal Marijuana Sales: Authorities

GARFIELD, NJ — Two Toms River men are among four people facing drug charges in connection with an illegal marijuana dispensary in Garfield, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said.

Vincent Scarpulla, 32, and Richard Walenty, 49, both of Toms River, were arrested Sept. 16 as authorities executed search warrants in connection with an investigation that began in July, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

The investigation focused on THC JARZ, a storefront in Garfield, that was found to be selling recreational marijuana and other THC products, Musella's office said. Scarpulla and Walenty were employees of the business, which was owned by Jaime Costanzo, officials said.

Undercover detectives eventually purchased marijuana and other products from Scarpulla and Walenty at the storefront during the investigation, officials said.

On Sept. 16, detectives from the Narcotics Task Force, the Garfield Police Department and the South Hackensack Police Department executed a search warrant at THC JARZ, where detectives found "a substantial amount" of marijuana, edibles, THC wax and oil and around $15,000.

A second search warrant executed at the Wallington home of Costanzo and her husband, Michael Delmoral, led to the seizure of about 1 pound of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia that officials said was consistent with distribution.

"Despite the recent changes to New Jersey's marijuana laws, the unregulated sale of marijuana and THC products remains illegal," Musella said. "We encourage the public to be mindful of the law and to report such sales to local law enforcement."

Scarpulla was charged with one count of first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, one count of first-degree possession with intent to distribute hashish oil, one count of third-degree money laundering, one count of third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of third-degree distribution of marijuana.

Walenty was charged with one count of first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, one count of first-degree possession with intent to distribute hashish oil, one count of third-degree money laundering, one count of third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and two counts of third-degree distribution of marijuana/hash oil.

Costanzo, 40, was charged with one count of first-degree maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, one count of first-degree possession with intent to distribute hashish oil, one count of third-degree money laundering and two counts of third degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Delmoral, 40, was charged with one count of third-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Scarpulla, Walenty and Costanzo all were taken to the Bergen County jail to be held pending first appearances, officials said.

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