Three Ocean County residents arrested in massive cocaine bust

Ocean County law enforcement has concluded a three month investigation into illegal drug distribution with three arrests.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced Mario Galli of Brick, Amanda Humphreys of Seaside Heights and Jason Vella of Berkeley Township were engaging in extensive trafficking of illegal narcotics in Ocean County.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Township Police Department and Toms River Township Police Department conducted the investigation.

Court-authorized search warrants were executed between September 19, 2019 and September 20, 2019 at two residences -- one in Berkeley and the other in Toms River.

The execution of the search warrants allowed law enforcement to seize approximately five hundred grams of Cocaine, nearly $2,300 in cash, and a loaded 9mm handgun.

Mario Galli, 27, of Brick, was charged out of Berkeley Township with Distribution of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); two counts of Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); and two counts of Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1).

Galli was also charged out of Toms River Township with Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within One Thousand Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a; Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Being a Certain Person Not to Have a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1); Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2.

Galli is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Amanda Humphreys, 24, of Seaside Heights, was charged out of Toms River Township with Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within One Thousand Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a; Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2.

Humphreys is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Jason Vella, 37, of Berkeley Township, was charged out of Berkeley Township with Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1), and Possession of more than Five Ounces of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1).

Vella is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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