TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man was sentenced Friday to 11 years in New Jersey State Prison after pleading guilty to multiple narcotics charges tied to two cocaine distribution investigations in Ocean and Monmouth counties, officials said.
Key Points:
- Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, received two concurrent 11-year sentences for cocaine distribution charges.
- Jenkins was linked to multiple stash houses and arrested with 1.25 kilograms of cocaine.
- A later investigation found him in possession of 293 grams of cocaine in Lakewood.
Multi-agency investigation leads to arrests
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Dina M. Vicari following his guilty pleas to two counts: Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than Five Ounces of Cocaine. The charges stem from investigations conducted in 2023 and 2024.
The first investigation, beginning in May 2023, involved numerous local, county, and federal agencies, including the DEA, multiple municipal police departments, and county narcotics units. Authorities identified Jenkins’ use of residences in South Toms River and Brick Township for drug operations.
On May 9, 2023, Jenkins and co-defendant Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, were detained after meeting in Long Branch and found in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
Seizures of cash, narcotics, and bank funds
Following their arrest, court-authorized search warrants were executed at properties linked to Jenkins and Durand. Law enforcement seized approximately 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 50 dosage units of heroin, $56,000 in cash, and over $488,000 from Durand’s personal bank accounts.
Jenkins and Durand were charged with multiple narcotics offenses on the day of their arrests but were released under bail reform provisions.
Durand later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and is scheduled for sentencing on April 25, where the state will seek a 10-year prison term.
Second bust in 2024 results in new charges
A separate investigation between July and August 2024 revealed that Jenkins continued trafficking cocaine using properties in Lakewood, Bayville, and Wall Township. Detectives stopped Jenkins’ vehicle in Lakewood on August 27, 2024, discovering 60 grams of cocaine.
Jenkins was arrested and has remained in custody since. Search warrants executed that same day yielded an additional 293 grams of cocaine from his residences and vehicles.
He entered guilty pleas to both 2023 and 2024 charges on February 20, 2025. Judge Vicari ordered the 11-year terms to run concurrently.