Seven Arrested in Southern Ocean County Heroin Sweep

Four probes of heroin trade in southern Ocean County yield seven arrests in the span of a week.

Investigations by the Special Operations Group under County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato are tied to a continuing effort to curb the flow of contraband narcotics into the county. All were triggered by searches of vehicles suspected as being used for transporting drugs.

The most recent took place November 13 in Little Egg Harbor. Raymond R. Summers, 23, of Pleasantville, and Candius C. Williams, 23, of Atlantic City, were charged after investigators searched the 2010 Hyundai they occupied in a Wawa lot on Mathistown Road.

County investigators and Little Egg Harbor police say they uncovered about 200 doses of heroin. Summers and Williams face counts of possession and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Each was placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. Their bails were set at $10,000 each, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent.

Five days earlier, a search of a Ford Explorer on Mathistown Road in Little Egg Harbor resulted in the arrests of James Palmisano, 38, Steven Stackhouse, 24, and John Pedicone, 49, all of the township; and John Rithianos, 19, of West Creek.

Authorities from the county, Little Egg and Tuckerton Police say they discovered about 99 doses of heroin in the SUV that all four occupied.

All four were charged with possession. Palmisano and Stackhouse also face counts of possession with intent to distribute. All four were relased on their own recognizance.

Steven Percy, 26, of Tuckerton, was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute after a search of a Chrysler Sebring he occupied on Stage Road on November 6.

Members of the Special Operations Group and police from Little Egg and Tuckerton said they rounded up 60 doses . Percy also was released on his own recognizance.