OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — A collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies has culminated in a significant narcotics bust in Ocean County. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced the conclusion of a two-month investigation targeting illegal drug distribution in the area.
The investigation, involving the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and several local police departments, pinpointed three residences in Brick, Toms River, and South Toms River.
These homes were allegedly used by Orthis Allen, 33, of Bayville; Lauren Torres and Anthony Martinez, both 23, of Toms River; and Ashley Banks, 33, of Brick, to distribute ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin/fentanyl.
On February 27, surveillance operations led to the detention of Allen and Banks following a vehicle stop by the Brick Township Police Department Special Emergency Response Team. Search warrants executed at the identified residences resulted in the seizure of ecstasy pills, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, drug distribution paraphernalia, and two loaded firearms from the Toms River location. Torres and Martinez were also detained for processing.
The search in South Toms River, however, yielded no significant findings.