Two front-facing mugshots side by side of a woman in a beige top against a gray background, one with dark hair and one with blonde hair.

Couple Arrested with Over 25 Pounds of Weed in Ocean County Drug Operation Bust

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Two women are being held in Ocean County Jail after authorities charged them with distributing large quantities of marijuana, including allegations involving more than 25 pounds, according to county booking records.

Jail records identify the defendants as Susana Garcia-Canales and Delma Garcia-Canales, both booked into custody on April 17, 2026, on multiple drug-related offenses tied to the same investigation.

Charges include large-volume distribution and conspiracy

According to Ocean County inmate records, both women face second-degree charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 25 pounds of marijuana or over 5 pounds of hashish under New Jersey statute 2C:35-5B(10)(A).

They are also charged with conspiracy (2C:5-2A(1)) and additional drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute between 5 and 25 pounds of marijuana (2C:35-5B(10)(B)) and possession of drug paraphernalia (2C:36-2).

The charges suggest investigators believe the case involves distribution-level quantities rather than personal use.

Booking details and custody status

Susana Garcia-Canales, listed in records as 5 feet 1 inch tall with gray or partially gray hair, was booked under case number W20260002441518. As of the latest available information, no bond amount was listed in her file.

Delma Garcia-Canales, described as 4 feet 11 inches tall with blonde hair, was booked under a separate case number, W20260002451518. Jail records indicate she is being held without bail. Both are listed as married and identified as Hispanic in booking records. No aliases or detainers are noted for either defendant.

Key Points
• Two women jailed in Ocean County on charges involving over 25 pounds of marijuana
• Both face conspiracy and multiple distribution-related offenses
• One defendant listed as held without bail, according to jail records

What the charges mean

Under New Jersey law, second-degree drug distribution charges involving large quantities can carry significant prison sentences if convicted. Conspiracy charges indicate prosecutors believe more than one person coordinated the alleged activity.

The presence of multiple counts under the same statute may reflect separate incidents or quantities identified during the investigation, though court filings would provide further detail.

Other suspects

Also arrested in the same bust was Carlos Sanchez-Castillo, a Latino male, and Ben Gross, a white male.

Limited details on investigation

Authorities have not released additional information about where the alleged offenses occurred, how the investigation developed, or whether other suspects are involved.

No court dates or legal representation details were included in the booking records.

Case status

Both Susana Garcia-Canales and Delma Garcia-Canales remain in custody at the Ocean County Jail as the case moves through the court system, with charges pending and subject to further legal proceedings.

Shore News Network Staff Report

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.