26 arrested in massive Ocean, Monmouth heroin probe

Twenty-six suspects are charged, and three remain at large, as Ocean County authorities crack what they describe as a vast network capable of moving about 25,000 doses of heroin into the county each week.

Melvin "Money" Vankpana, 23, of Lakewood and Neptune, is the core of the largest of the three-part, multi-jurisdictional "summer sweep," which resulted in the arrests of 18 suspects, according to information from the office of County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.

Under "Operation MVP," beginning in late 2015, investigators focused high-volume heroin trade, that resulted in the discovery of manufacturing, storage and organization sites in Toms River, Lakewood,, Brick, Jackson and Neptune.

Each underwent no-knock searches early on June 2, the last of three series of raids that began on May 25. Investigators say they seized about 8,000 individual doses of heroin, prescription medications, cocaine, marijuana, an AR-15 assault rifle, a Ruger semi-automatic pistol and about $40,000 cash.

They impounded a black, 2012 BMW X6, said to be used by Vankpana, and a black 2013 Hyundai Elantra, said to be used by Cotte.

Vankpana was held on $300,000 cash-only bail. Also arrested: Luis Rodriguez, 26, Quaoriah Vaughn/Rodriguez, 23, Nyshawne Sutton, 35, Marcus Jones, 40, Tarell "Ruger" Jones, 26, Candido Jackson, 28, Erica Ortiz, 24, all of Lakewood; Mathew Green, 27, Timothy Moore, 20, Aniya Lynn, 25, Altariq Montgomery, 22 of Jackson; Kashawn Cotte, 24, Brick; Jerron "Hove" Evans, 33, William "Stinkum" Davis, 20, Samora Burgess, 28, Toms River; Nakayla Adams, 25, Morganville; Yahnie Patterson, 28, currently in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.

Vaughn/Rodriguez, Moore, and Montgomery were released on summonses. The remainder were given bail requirements ranging from $300,000 to $75,000, either cash-only or without a 10-percent payment option for release.

Yet to be apprehended are Jameer Jones, 22, Dasean Donaldson, 20, and Dajun Morris, 23, of Lakewood. Anyone aware of their whereabouts is urged to reach Ocean County investigators, 732-341-6150 or 732-929-2027.

The initial phase, concluding a two-month undercover probe in Berkeley Township's Manitou Park section and South Toms River, resulted in five no-knock warrants for dwellings in both communties that were executed early May 25.

Authorities said that nearly a thousand bags of heroin were confiscated along with marijuana, drug-related items and about $6,000 cash.

The arrestees are: Tashema Colman, 38, Amanda Pomeroy, 27, Shaquonda Dorsey, 37, Rachel Cole, 27, Hakim Singleton, 38, of South Toms River; Jabbar Graham, 38, Berkeley Township.

Graham and Cole were released on summonses. The remainder were jailed on bail amounts ranging form $25,000 to $150,000.

The following day, May 26, two Seaside Heights residents were apprehended during the search of an apartment and the allged seizure of Oxycodone, prescription pain killers, the marijuana derivative known as wax, drug-related items and $2350 cash.

Kelly Borden, 46, was jailed, with bail set at $25,000. Thomas Melvin, 21, was released on a summons.

Supporting the Ocean County Prosecutor's Special Operations Group were police departments in Brick, Toms River, Lakewood, Manchester, Berkeley Township, South Toms River, Lacey Township, Waretown, Jackson, Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Stafford and Neptune; New Jersey State Police; Ocean County Sheriff's Office; Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office; and United State Marshalls Service.