Cocaine, Cash Stored At Toms River Business: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River business owner used his business and his Manchester home to store and distribute cocaine, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Leroy Hairston, 43, received multiple drug-related charges after police found cocaine at "Leroy's Tow Service" in Toms River, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Thousands of dollars in cash were also found both at the business and at his home, Billhimer said.

Detectives from the Prosecutor's Office and both Toms River and Manchester police departments surveilled Leroy's Tow Service and Hairston's Manchester home, Billhimer said.

On April 26, police watched as Hairston left his business and parked his car in a nearby parking lot, at which time he was arrested and taken to the Toms River Police Headquarters, Billhimer said.

A court-authorized search warrant of the business led to the seizure of about 100 grams of cocaine and $7,000 in cash, Billhimer said.

The Ocean County SWAT then executed a court-authorized search warrant of Hairston's home, Billhimer said.

Officials found $4,000 in cash at the Manchester home, Billhimer said.

Additionally, Raekwon Strand, 26, of Lakewood, who was at the home at the time of the search warrant, was found to have about 100 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl on him, Billhimer said.

Hairston was charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, financial facilitation, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Billhimer said.

He was taken to Ocean County Jail and released due to bail reform, Billhimer said.

Strand was charged with possession of heroin/fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia, Billhimer said. He was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.