Lakehurst, NJ woman among five New Jersey residents who sold cocaine, marijuana, and pain meds laced with fentanyl
A Lakehurst woman is among five New Jersey residents behind bars heading into the weekend for dealing cocaine, marijuana, and pain medication -- all laced with fentanyl -- across Ocean County and Mercer County.
On Friday afternoon, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the culmination of an investigation into the distribution of these drugs in the aforementioned areas.
The investigation was conducted by several law enforcement agencies across Ocean and Mercer Counties and beyond.
As a result of the narcotics probe, Detectives were able to identify three residences in Ewing as well as one in Lakehurst along with a car in Lakewood that were all being used to wheel and deal cocaine, marijuana, and pain medications that were laced with fentanyl all being orchestrated by 37-year old Ronald Walker of Ewing, and 30-year old Christopher MacLeod, of Ewing.
On April 14, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Group 5, United States Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation - Red Bank Field Office, Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, Mercer County Sheriff's Office Tactical Response Team, Lakehurst Borough Police Department Patrol Division, Lakehurst Borough Police Department Detective Bureau, Ewing Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ewing Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Elizabeth Police Department Narcotics Bureau, and Elizabeth Police Department Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Division executed court-authorized search warrants.
They ended up finding three-and-one-half ounces of cocaine, one ounce of Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, one gallon of Promethazine, 600 pounds of Marijuana, a loaded Performance Center M&P .380 Handgun, a loaded Keltec 9mm rifle with high capacity magazine, and approximately $158,000 in United States Currency in the three homes plus the motor vehicle combined.
The evidence and information gathered in the investigation led to all five New Jersey residents being charged in connection with this heinous crime.
Dana Altieri, 52, of Lakehurst, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm during a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearms Magazine, and Financial Facilitation on a summons and was then released from custody, pending a future court appearance.
Ronald Walker, 37, of Ewing, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of more than One Ounce but less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon.
Walker will remain in the Ocean County Jail, pending a detention hearing.
Christopher MacLeod, 30, of Ewing, is charged with Possession of more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of more than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Percocet with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Percocet, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of a Firearm during a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, and Financial Facilitation.
MacLeod will remain in the Ocean County Jail, pending a detention hearing.
Meghan Norton, 33, of Ewing, is charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of more than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Percocet with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Percocet, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm during a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, and Financial Facilitation.
Norton was brought to the Ocean County Jail but was released by the Court because of New Jersey's Bail Reform Law.
Autumn Hearns, 40, of Ewing, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess more than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of more than One Ounce but less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on a summons and was later released from custody pending a future court appearance.