TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit collaborated with the Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Essex County Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area. The investigation identified a residence in Newark as being utilized by Karl Murray, 34, for purposes of storing and distributing heroin and cocaine in Ocean County.
On January 21, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Department, and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit, established surveillance on the subject residence in Newark. Detectives observed Murray leaving the residence in his vehicle. A subsequent motor vehicle stop was performed on Murray’s vehicle; Murray and his two passengers, Tayiyah Jackson, 24, and Abdul Crowley, 22, both of Newark, were detained as a result. Murray was found to be in possession of approximately 100 wax folds of heroin and $2,800 in United States Currency. Detectives also located approximately 50 vials of crack cocaine in the vehicle. All three individuals were placed under arrest and transported to Manchester Township Police Department for processing.
Subsequent to Murray’s arrest, Detectives continued surveillance on his residence. Detectives observed John Frazier, 35, of Newark, enter the residence, exit after some time, and place two boxes in the trunk of his vehicle. A motor vehicle stop was subsequently conducted on Frazier’s vehicle. Frazier was found to be in possession of approximately 150 wax folds of Heroin; the boxes he placed in the vehicle contained approximately 4,250 wax folds of heroin. A .40 caliber handgun was located in the vehicle as well. Frazier was taken into custody and transported to Manchester Police Department for processing.
A court-authorized search warrant was performed on Murray’s residence and vehicle. As a result, Detectives recovered numerous items from the residence indicative of narcotics distribution, and a .45 caliber handgun was located in his vehicle.
Karl Murray, of Newark, was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin With Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine With Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Conspiracy to Distribute Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4; Possession of a Weapon During Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; and Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1). Murray is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Tayiyah Jackson, of Newark, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Conspiracy to Distribute Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4; and Possession of a Weapon During Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1. Jackson is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Abdul Crowley, of Newark, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(13); Conspiracy to Distribute Less than One-Half Ounce of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Crack Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Oxycodone in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4; and Possession of a Weapon During Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1 Crowley is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
John Frazier, of Newark, was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Heroin With Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7; Possession of a Weapon During Controlled Dangerous Substance Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4; Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1); and Hindering Apprehension by Concealing Another in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3a(1). Frazier is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Essex County Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Newark Police Department Emergency Response Team, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.