$6,700 In Heroin Seized; Toms River Trio Arrested In State Police Bust

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Three Toms River residents have been arrested, and $6,700 worth of heroin was seized after a two-month investigation into heroin distribution in the area by New Jersey State Police.

Joseph Cottrell, 50, Tammy Burd, 43, and Daniel Bunk, 43, all of Toms River, were arrested June 30 following a search at Cottrell's Bellflower Court home, according to a news release from Attorney General Christopher Porrino and Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the State Police.

State Police detectives along with the State Police T.E.A.M.S. and k-9 units conducted the search and seized 27 bricks of heroin — about 1,300 doses — as well as drug paraphernalia and more than $1,000 in cash, the release said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office will handle prosecution of the case, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Cottrell was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia and was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, where he remained Thursday.

Burd and Bunk each were charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, State Police said.

“When we arrest dealers and seize their heroin, we prevent potential overdoses, deaths, and new addiction,” Fuentes said. "Our detectives are taking great initiative in combating the opioid epidemic, and I commend them for their efforts during this investigation."

Photos provided by New Jersey State Police