Whiting man was mastermind behind recent Meth deals in Ocean County

A Whiting man is among three Ocean County residents being charged with the dealing of narcotics in the area of late.

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Manchester Police said that their department's Narcotics Enforcement Team ran an investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine in Ocean County and it led them at first to a home on Amesbury Road in the Crestwood Village 6 community of Whiting, which investigators learned was being used to store and distribute quantities of the drug.

NET Detectives were then able to obtain court-authorized search warrants for the residence and suspect vehicle leading to them identifying Christopher Waugh, 57, of Whiting, as the distributor of the Methamphetamine.

Detectives from the Manchester Police NET Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle Waugh was driving on August 31 after it was seen departing the residence.

When they searched the vehicle, investigators found drug paraphernalia.

Waugh was not the driver though, it was Frank Cragin, 58, of Toms River, who was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men were then arrested for drug paraphernalia pending further investigation.

As they continued to investigate, at this point along with the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, both agencies were able to then execute a search warrant at the Amesbury Road address.

Manchester Police said the agencies took precautions heading in, namely with the SWAT Team first "due to the possibility that Methamphetamine was being manufactured at the residence", so SWAT members used air-filtration masks.

During the course of the search, Detectives seized 17 grams of Methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $1,700 along with 50 doses of heroin, a quantity of Alprazolam and Clonazepam tablets, and drug paraphernalia.

While Waugh and Cragin were in custody and the search warrant executed, investigators also learned of the involvement of Jessica L. Bischoff, 36, of Manahawkin, who was at the residence and was identified as a co-conspirator in the recent drug deals.

Waugh has been charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute more than one-half ounce of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Schedule IV Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Frank Cragin is being charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Jessica L. Bischoff has been charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Cragin and Bischoff were issued complaint summonses due to New Jersey's bail reform law, pending court.

Waugh was transported to a medical facility for an unrelated health condition and issued complaint summonses pending court.

Manchester Police said that they were also assisted with the execution of the search warrant by the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit who "determined that the scene of the residence was safe; as there were no indications that Methamphetamine was being produced at the location."