The war on drugs in Ocean County continues with the latest round of arrests. This time, it was in Barnegat.

Items recovered by Barnegat Police during arrest
Items recovered by Barnegat Police during arrest (Barnegat Police via Facebook)
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Members of the Barnegat Police Narcotics Unit arrested six Barnegat residents on drug charges after conducting a motor vehicle stop during which they discovered heroin and prescription drugs. Arrested as a result of the investigation were 19-year-old Ryan Semmens, 20-year-old William Semmens, 24-year-old Ashley Davis, 48-year-old Joseph Barton, 47-year-old Nancy Torres and 42-year-old Douglas Vandevelde.

Detectives were conducting surveillance in the area of Tiller Drive in response to numerous complaints from residents about drug dealing in the area. They stopped a 2008 Toyota Scion belonging to William Semmens for a motor vehicle violation after it left Semmens's Tiller Drive residence. A consent search of the vehicle was conducted by the officers which resulted in the discovery of heroin and the prescription drug Alprazolam. Arrested at that time were Ryan Semmens, Barton, and Davis.

Detectives then responded back to the Semmens' Tiller Drive residence where a further investigation resulted in the recovery of additional quantities of heroin, Alprazolam, and US currency. Detectives then arrested Vandevelde, Torres, and William Semmens who were at the residence. The Barnegat officers were assisted by members of the Ocean Township Police Department (Waretown). Detectives recovered a total of $900 in US currency, 95 individually packaged units of heroin, and 8 Alprazolam pills.

Ryan Semmens was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin (all 3rd degree). William Semmens was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin (all 3rd degree). Ashley Davis was charged with possession of heroin, possession of Alprazolam, (both 3rd degree) and 4th degree child neglect as her 7 year old son was with her in the vehicle at the time of the motor vehicle stop. Joseph Barton was charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute (both 3rd degree). Douglas Vandevelde was charged with possession of heroin and possession of Alprazolam (both 3rd degree). He was also found to have a $500 warrant out of Long Beach Township.

Vandevelde was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. The other parties were released pending a court date.

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