BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Maple Leaf Apartment Complex has been a trouble spot for Brick Police over the past few years, and on Friday, a routine traffic stop led to an arrest and gun seizure. During that stop, the department arrested two suspected drug dealers.
According to the Brick Township Police Deparment, on Friday at 8:30 P.M., the Street Crimes Unit investigated suspicious activity in the Maple Leaf Apartment Complex that resulted in a motor vehicle stop down the road near Maple Ave. and Herbertsville Rd.
Utilizing a K-9 to search the vehicle, police were able to find a loaded gun.
“K-9 Officer Ray LaPoint and his partner Rebel responded to assist the detectives. Three subjects were arrested after Detectives discovered a loaded Glock 17 handgun with a 30-round high capacity magazine containing hollow point bullets,” the department said. “A second magazine was also discovered loaded with a mixture of rounds, some of which were armor piercing. In addition to the gun and ammo, heroin, cocaine, crack, drug paraphernalia and knives were found.”
The drugs were packaged for resale, according to police.
Three suspects were charged with multiple offenses.
“Kiana Craig (20 years old from Brick) and Desiree Ruffino (25 years old from Tuckerton) were both charged with distribution of heroin, cocaine, and crack, three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing justice, possession of prohibited ammunition, possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense, possession of a large capacity magazine, unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of weapons,” the department said. “Ruffino was also charged with several motor vehicle summonses including operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, driving while suspended, fictitious plates, possession of a CDS in a motor vehicle, and other moving violations.”
Detectives seized the vehicle and three cellular phones while Craig and Ruffino were lodged in Ocean County Jail. There was also a juvenile participant who was taken into custody, whose information is being withheld due to their status as a minor.