⚖️ Long Branch man receives prison sentence for dealing cocaine in Monmouth County

⚖️ Investigators searched his home and where he worked in Long Branch and Lanoka Harbor

⚖️ In executing search warrants, authorities found a large amount of cocaine and cash


A Long Branch man has learned his fate as he was sentenced to a decade in state prison stemming from a drug investigation in Monmouth County on the distribution of cocaine.

The results of the 2021 investigation were announced by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago who said police found and seized about 650 grams of cocaine, approximately $19,000 cash, three cell phones, a 2003 Lexus, and seized a bank account with approximately $91,000.

Prison cell at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
Prison cell at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
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Authorities found the haul amid the investigation after executing search warrants at the North 5th Avenue home of 51-year old Johnny Rodriquez as well as at Platinum Touch mechanic ship on Broadway in Long Branch and a location on North Point Road in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township.

The dual efforts of the Monmouth County Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Unit and Long Branch Police led to the discovery of the cocaine and seizure of other related items along with the assistance of Lacey Police.

Court room at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
Court room at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. (Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media New Jersey)
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Rodriquez, who entered a guilty plea in July of 2022, was sentenced to 10-years in prison late last week on first-degree Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute in excess of 5 ounces.

Prosecutor Santiago said this case was handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Emily Cartmell and that Rodriquez is being represented by Steven Nelson, Esq., of Neptune.

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