1,350 Heroin Doses, Handgun Seized, Monmouth Man Arrested

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Authorities seized 27 bricks of heroin, a handgun and cash recently and arrested an Ocean Township man following a monthlong investigation in Toms River.

Dowann J. Smith, 27 of Ocean Township, was arrested Sept. 20 as the Toms River Police Department's Special Enforcement Team searched a room at the Rest Inn Motel on Route 37 and an apartment on Route 37, said Jillian Messina, media specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

In addition to search warrants at the motel and apartment, authorities also searched a motor vehicle that had been observed in use for drug distribution, Messina said.

Smith was found to be in possession of 27 bricks (about 1,350 doses) of heroin, a Taurus .380 handgun, a small amount of marijuana, CDS paraphernalia and $715 in cash, she said. Authorities estimate the street value of the heroin seized at more than $5,000.

Smith has been charged with possession of heroin, second-degree charges of possession of over one-half ounce of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of a handgun during a CDS offense and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, along with charges of possession of a handgun without a valid permit, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

Smith was taken to the Ocean County Jail but later released pending trial.

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