A surveillance operation conducted by members of the Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team resulted in the seizure of over 200 doses of heroin and over 60 doses of Ecstasy as well as a quantity of crack-cocaine, Xanax, Percocet and marijuana. The operation also resulted in the seizure of $1,385.00 in suspected drug proceeds.
The investigation began after Manchester Police received multiple tips from concerned citizens about suspected drug activity at a Ridgeway Road apartment complex. Officers setup surveillance in the area of the complex and observed suspicious activity including a drug transaction at one of the apartments.
During the surveillance, a blue Mazda 3 associated with the apartment was observed leaving the area and was stopped by police. During the stop, the driver, 34 year old Salim Cofi of Belmont Drive in South Toms River and the passenger, 26 year old Katelyn Burch of Camino Roble in Toms River, were both arrested after they were found to be in possession of cocaine. Additionally, Cofi had found to have several outstanding arrest warrants from multiple jurisdictions.
After arresting Cofi and Burch, officers returned to the Ridgeway Road complex and conducted a consent search of the apartment where the earlier drug transaction took place. During the search, over 200 doses of heroin and over 60 doses of Ecstasy were recovered as well as a quantity of crack-cocaine, Xanax, Percocet and marijuana. Also located in the apartment was empty packaging material, scales and cutting agents used to prepare and package heroin for resale and $1,385.00 in suspected drug sale proceeds, all of which were seized. The estimated street value of the narcotics seized in this operation was approximately $2,600.00.
Inside the apartment, officers also discovered that the suspects had a surveillance system installed which allowed them to view the door and parking lot of the complex from a bedroom.
Arrested in the apartment was, 38 year old, Jacques Johnson of Brick, 38 year old, Kareemott Jones of Pleansantville and 35 year old, Tanya Neal of Manchester.
Jones, Johnson and Cofi were each charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession MDMA (ecstasy), possession with intent to distribute MDMA (ecstasy), possession of cocaine, possession of Percocet, possession of Alprazolam, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail for Johnson was set at $35,000, while bail for Jones and Cofi was set at $60,000. All three subjects were transported to Ocean County Jail in default of bail. Neal was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of Percocet and Burch was charged with possession of cocaine. Each was later released on a complaint summons.
This incident remains under investigation and additional arrests are anticipated. Also assisting with this investigation were members of the Manchester Township Police Patrol Bureau, the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group.