PROSECUTOR’S SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP JOINS FORCES WITH BERKELY TOWNHIP & LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP POLICE IN LATEST DRUG INVESTIGATION

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane and Little Egg Harbor Township Chief Richard Buzby announced today the culmination of an investigation into drug activity in the Southern Ocean County area.

Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit conducted a cooperative investigation with the Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit that resulted in the arrest of three Ocean County residents on various drug charges.

On Thursday, April 6, 2017, as a result of a month long investigation, members of the partnering agencies established stationary / mobile surveillance in the area of the 2 Hannah Place, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey in preparation to execute a court authorized search warrants for the residence and a vehicle, described as a black 2001 Ford Taurus.  Prior to the execution of the search warrant, investigating Detectives observed a vehicle arrive at the target residence and observed what appeared to be a narcotics related exchange between the operator of the vehicle and Brandon Marino.  As the vehicle departed from the residence, investigating Detectives maintained constant surveillance of the vehicle and initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.  As a result of a Consent to Search of a white Ford Mustang, investigating Detectives seized approximately $2700 in U.S currency.  The operator of the Mustang was identified as Patrick Farrell.

Additionally, investigating Detectives observed Marino exit the target residence and depart the area in the black Ford Taurus.  A motor vehicle stop was initiated by Little Egg Harbor Police Department, at which time both Marino and the vehicle was secured and transported back to the residence.  Upon arrival at the residence, investigating Detectives executed the search warrant on the target residence.  Upon searching the residence, quantities of cocaine, marijuana, U.S currency and paraphernalia were seized.

As a result of the above information Marino, Farrell and Leighann Brown were placed under arrest and transported to the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department where they were processed and subsequently released from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department pending future court proceedings.  During processing additional information was developed indicating Farrell was in possession of additional quantities of marijuana and U.S currency at his residence located at 249 Division Lane, Berlin, New Jersey.  After a consent to search Farrell and Brown were transported to their residence of 249 Division Lane, Berlin, New Jersey.  Members of the Berlin Township Police Department arrived to assist.  As a result of the search of the residence, Investigating Detectives seized additional quantities of marijuana, THC wax, THC brownies, U.S currency and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Brandon Marino, 22, of Berlin, NJ, was charged with the following:

• Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (over one (1) ounce or more of marijuana), Possession of CDS (marijuana over 50 grams), Possession of CDS (under ½ ounce of cocaine), and Possession of drug paraphernalia

Patrick Farrell, 21, of Berlin, NJ, was charged with the following, per the investigation in Little Egg Harbor:

• Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute (over one (1) ounce or more of marijuana), Distribution of CDS (over one (1) ounce or more of marijuana), Possession of CDS (marijuana over 50 grams). Additional charges for Berlin Township Investigation are pending presentation to the Grand Jury.

Leighann Brown, 19, of Berlin, NJ, was charged with the following, per the investigation in Little Egg Harbor:

• Conspiracy to Possess CDS with Intent to Distribute (over one (1) ounce or more of marijuana). Additional charges for Berlin Township Investigation are pending presentation to the Grand Jury.

All three subjects were released from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department pending future court proceedings.  The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.