CBD Store Owner, Mom Charged In Illegal Marijuana Distribution In Ocean County

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man and his mother are facing charges in connection with illegal marijuana distribution after an investigation found he was selling cannabis from a Toms River CBD shop, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Scott B. Carlino, 52, and his mother, Ellen Carlino, 74, of Brick, were arrested Thursday as authorities seized about 70 pounds of marijuana and more than $600,000 following the investigation that began in May into the distribution of marijuana and THC-related products in Ocean County, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Carlino, who owns EarthE CBD on West Water Street in Toms River, is accused of distributing marijuana and THC products from the store, and storing the marijuana at his home in Toms River and at his mother's home, Billhimer said.

On Thursday detectives conducting surveillance saw Scott Carlino leave his home in Toms River and he was pulled over on the Garden State Parkway by New Jersey State Police and arrested, Billhimer said.

At that point court-authorized search warrants were executed at the EarthE CBD store, at Carlino's Toms River home, and at his mother's home, Billhimer said. In addition to the 70 pounds of marijuana, authorities seized 1,500 pounds of THC-related products, a 9mm handgun, and approximately $390,000 in cash. Detectives also seized approximately $217,000 from personal bank accounts belonging to Scott Carlino, he said.

Carlino has been charged with possession of marijuana in a quantity greater than 25 pounds with intent to distribute, maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance facility, possession of a weapon during the course of controlled dangerous substance offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia, and financial facilitation, Billhimer said.

Carlino is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Ellen Carlino was charged with conspiracy to commit financial facilitation and arrested at her home. She was served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court, Billhimer said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team and Manchester patrol officers, the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Emergency Services Unit and patrol officers, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Emergency Services Unit and patrol officers, and the New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Unit and State Police Troop D on the investigation and the search warrant execution.