Toms River woman accused of pushing heroin, opiates in Lacey

Bail is set at $200,000 for a Toms River woman who's suspected of being a pipeline for illicit drugs reaching Lacey Township and surrounding parts of southern Ocean County.

Karen Thompson, 52, was arrested early Monday afternoon near the Shop Rite Plaza on Route 9 in Lacey, according to the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Officers found in her possession more than 100 doses of heroin and cocaine, and more than 100 Suboxone, Oxycodone and Xanax tablets, in a backpack, and a loaded .22 caliber handgun.

The arrest occurs during a short-term probe of drug activity in and around Lacey by township police and members of the Prosecutor's Special Enforcement Group, Southern Division

The nine charges lodged in Ocean County Court are possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of Suboxone, possession of Suboxone with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of Oxycodone, possession of Xanax, possession of a firearm during the commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) offense, and certain persons not to possess a firearm.

Thompson was placed in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.