Three of four men accused of pushing 10,000 bags of heroin a week arrested
Three members of a Neptune Township cocaine and heroin distribution ring are collared following a five-month probe into the illegal activity they're accused of being involved in, but one man remains on the run.
The group, collectively, was moving about a kilogram of cocaine and 10,000 bags of heroin a week across Neptune Township, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section dubbed their investigation “Operation Undertow,” which culminated with the arrest of three men earlier this month.
Kurrian Grasty, 38, of Neptune Township, Terrence Wright, 47, of Orange, and Marlo Taylor, 41, also of Neptune Township, were placed in handcuffs as part of the drug distribution network based primarily in the Neptune Township area.
Both Taylor and Wright were denied pretrial release and were ordered detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution to await trial.
Grasty’s detention hearing is scheduled for this Friday.
He also remains incarcerated in the county jail.
Charges, meanwhile, have been filed against suspect number four in the case, Timothy Guest, 44, recently of Swedesboro and Irvington, who has yet to be apprehended and remains a fugitive in this case.
Investigators executed two search warrants in Neptune Township on June 8 and seized about one-half of a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 6,250 bags of heroin, a stolen .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and over $35,000.00 in cash.
Additional search warrants for a residence in the City of Orange and two automobiles led to the seizure of two additional kilograms of cocaine.
Together, the seized drugs have a street value of over $300,000.00.
Grasty is charged with two counts of first degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance With Intent to Distribute on or near School Property, two counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, second degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons, second degree Possession of a Firearm During While Committing a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, and third degree Receiving Stolen Property.
Wright is charged with two counts of first degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, two counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances.
Taylor is charged with one count each of first degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and second degree Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
Guest is charged with two counts of first degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, two counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and second degree Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances.
If convicted of the first degree offenses, each defendant faces an extended term sentence of up to life in a New Jersey state prison.
If convicted of the second degree offenses, each defendant faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison on each count.
If convicted of the third degree offenses, each defendant faces a sentence of three to five years in prison.
The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Atlantic Highlands, Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Belmar, Highlands, Allenhurst, Marlboro, Hazlet, Eatontown, Middletown, Howell, Wall, Neptune Township, Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Holmdel, Red Bank, Manalapan and Spring Lake police departments helped the MCPO in this investigation and making the arrests.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Matthews, Director of the Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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