Trio Charged In Toms River-Based Drug Distribution: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Three people are facing drug distribution charges after authorities seized heroin and about 60 grams of cocaine following an investigation into drug distribution in Ocean County, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Jamar Montgomery, 28, of Lakewood; Kevin Hunter, 33, of Toms River, and Diana Mendez, 33, of Lakewood, were arrested last week, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Billhimer said the investigation identified two homes in Toms River that were being used, one by Montgomery and one by Hunter and Mendez, to store and distribute narcotics.

As a result of the investigation, on March 2 and 3, authorities pulled over and arrested the three. Lakewood police pulled over Montgomery on March 2, and saw him throw a bag out the window of the vehicle, Billhimer said.

Officers recovered the bag and discovered that it contained 250 wax folds of heroin, about 30 grams of crack cocaine, and $1,300 in cash, Billhimer said. Montgomery was also found to be in possession of a knife.

He was arrested and taken to the Ocean County Jail.

On March 3, Lakewood police pulled over a vehicle that Hunter was driving and Mendez was the passenger. While they were being detained, detectives executed search warrants at the two homes in Toms River and seized 30 grams of crack cocaine, digital scales, drug packaging material, and $2,500 in cash, Billhimer said.

Hunter and Mendez were arrested and taken to the Ocean County Jail.

Montgomery was charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of a weapon during the commission of controlled dangerous substance activity, unlawful possession of a weapon, eluding, and attempting to conceal or destroy evidence, the prosecutor's office said.

Hunter was charged with distribution of less than a half-ounce of cocaine, possession of less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property, possession of less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine, wandering in an attempt to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mendez was charged with possession of less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than 1 ounce but less than 5 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of more than a half-ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property; possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The following agencies were involved in the investigation and arrests: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, and Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit.