Ocean Township drug raid yields 600 hits of heroin, investigators say

A probe of heroin trafficking in southern Ocean County lands two suspects behind bars on possession counts.

Michael S. Gilyard, 36, and Nicole M. Sandella, of Ocean Township (Waretown), were arrested May 31 in a search of their apartment, led by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Special Operations Group.

Police using a no-knock search warrant discovered about 600 doses of heroin along with quantities of Suboxone, according to information from the office of County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

The raid was conducted by local police, the Prosecutor's Southern Enforcement Unit and the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team.

Gilyard and Sandella were charged with possession of Suboxone, possession of heroin, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Both were remanded to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. Gilyard's bail was set at $100,000, and Sandella's at $50,000, in Superior Court.