Ocean-Essex County crack connection uncovered in Brick Township

Heroin in a car leads to an alleged crack warehouse in Brick Township.

Jeanette Larussa, 33, of Brick, and three more defendants face possession and manufacturing charges following a Monday search of her house that began with a traffic stop, and ended a probe of several months' duration.

Police said that members of the Brick Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) brought Larussa's car to a halt on September 18, at about 1:10 PM, behind the Stop & Shop on Hooper Avenue.

They arrested her on the strength of an active warrant, and for heroin possession, which led to the raid at the house on North Pier Drive, in the Sailors Quay section.

Inside, police said, they found crack cocaine being packed for street sale, about 70 wax folds of heroin, two bags of marijuana in quantities of less than 50 grams, and $429 cash.

Also arrested were Michael Steltzer, 38, of Brick; Justin McGriff, 19, of Orange; and Daquan Summers, 18, of East Orange.

They are charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, manufacturing and distribution of heroin and cocaine, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Larussa, Steltzer and McGriff were placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. Summers was released on a summons until a court appearance.

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