Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group and Stafford Township Police Team Up on Latest Drug Investigation

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane announced today the culmination of a one month cooperative  investigation into drug activity in the Southern Ocean County area.

Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit joined forces with the Stafford Township Police Department to conduct an investigation into the distribution of Marijuana and Marijuana THC Oil in the southern Ocean County area.  The concluded operation resulted in the arrest of two Stafford Township men on various drug charges.

The partnering agencies’ investigation identified two Stafford Township residences, specifically 772 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin, NJ and 1070 Barnacle Drive, Manahawkin, NJ as being utilized by Erik Kretschmer, 23, of 772 Buccaneer Lane and Garrett Mandrona, 23, of 1070 Barnacle Drive to store and distribute quantities of Marijuana. Detectives also identified a 2012 Ford Focus as being utilized by Mr. Kretschmer to store, transport and distribute quantities of CDS to include Marijuana and THC Oils.  As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for both of the aforementioned residences as well as the listed vehicle.

On Monday July 16, 2018 at approximately 5:00 am, Prosecutor’s Detectives along with members of the Stafford Township Police Departments Drug Enforcement Unit, K-9 Unit and members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team simultaneously executed search warrants at the listed residences. A search warrant was also executed on the 2012 Ford Focus which was located at 772 Buccaneer Lane.

Upon executing the search warrants, Mr. Kretschmer was located at 772 Buccaneer Lane and Mr. Mandrona was located inside his residence 1070 Barnacle Drive. Both men were placed under arrest on various drug charges listed below and were transported to Stafford Township Police Headquarters where they were processed.  As a result of this investigation and the execution of the listed search warrants police seized over six pounds of Marijuana along with 100 vials of THC Oil.

Erik Kretschmer, age 23, 772 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana over five pounds with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additional Charges are pending. Mr. Kretschmer was subsequently released on a summons pending a future court date.

Garrett Mandrona  age 23, 1070 Barnacle Drive, Manahawkin NJ was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Mandrona was released on a summons pending a future court date.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave (OFFICE) (CELL) and [email protected].