Toms River Man Tried To Hide Heroin Under His Hat, Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ -- "Keeping it under his hat" took on a whole new meaning for a Toms River man, whose secret hiding place for heroin and crack cocaine -- the hat on his head -- led to his arrest on drug distribution charges, Manchester police said.

Anthony Huggins, 30, of Serrata Way, Toms River, was arrested Tuesday night in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn on Route 37 by members of the Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, which was conducting surveillance, Capt. Todd Malland said.

Huggins was seen shortly after 10:30 p.m. parked in the lot in a 2014 Kia Forte, and police officers approached the car, Malland said. Investigation turned up the heroin and crack cocaine concealed in the hat Huggins was wearing, he said. Further investigation revealed Huggins had gone to the Comfort Inn with the intention of selling the heroin, Malland said. Police later found more heroin that Huggins had hidden on himself, Malland said.

Huggins was arrested without incident and taken to Manchester Police Headquarters. He was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and loitering for the purpose to sell CDS, Malland said.

Huggins is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to jail records.

Also assisting with the investigation were the Manchester PD Patrol Division and K-9 unit.