Authorities Raid Heroin Packaging Operation In Toms River, Lavallette: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A heroin packaging and distribution operation involving residences in Toms River and Lavallette was busted in late December after a monthlong investigation, Toms River police said Wednesday.

Kevin Porter, 27, of Newark, was arrested Dec. 22 and charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin over one-half ounce with the intent to distribute (2nd degree) and maintaining a heroin manufacturing facility (1st degree), said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

Stocco said the investigation led to search warrants being executed at an apartment in Winteringham Village and a home on the 100 block of Philadelphia Avenue in Lavallette. Detectives found a full manufacturing facility where Porter was mixing, packaging and stamping heroin for resale, he said.

Items included empty wax folds ready to be packaged, stamps, sifters, and several other items used to package and distribute heroin, Stocco said. In addition, 250 wax folds of heroin, 50 grams of powdered heroin and $750 in cash was seized from Porter, he said.

The investigation was conducted by the Toms River Police Department's Special Enforcement Team, the Lavallette Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Operations Group, and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Stocco said.

Porter's bail was set at $75,000, no 10 percent, but bail has since been posted, according to Ocean County Jail inmate records.

Kevin Porter photo via Toms River Police Department; handcuffs via Shutterstock