Authorities say an intercepted cocaine shipment purchased through the dark web led investigators to uncover drugs, firearms, and $34,000 in cash at a Brick Township home. The elder suspect has since been released under New Jersey Bail Reform laws.
Brick Township, NJ – A Brick Township father and son are facing multiple narcotics and weapons charges after an investigation into a package containing cocaine allegedly purchased through the dark web led detectives to uncover a large cache of drugs, firearms, and cash.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday that Ryan Weil, 35, and his father, Kenneth Weil, 74, were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at their Brick Township residence. Investigators seized approximately 20 pounds of marijuana, quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, LSD, Xanax, oxycodone, six firearms, drug distribution paraphernalia, and about $34,000 in cash.
Intercepted package launched investigation
According to prosecutors, the investigation began after the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing about 15 grams of cocaine. Detectives determined the drugs had allegedly been purchased using cryptocurrency through the dark web and were addressed to Ryan Weil.
On June 16, detectives obtained a court-authorized search warrant and conducted an undercover delivery of the package. Authorities said they watched Ryan Weil retrieve the package and carry it inside the residence before officers executed the warrant.
“Investigation revealed that the cocaine was purchased via the dark web with crypto currency,” the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in announcing the charges.
During the search, detectives recovered the intercepted package along with the additional narcotics, firearms, and cash from throughout the home.
Father and son face numerous charges
Ryan Weil was charged with numerous offenses, including possession of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana with intent to distribute, multiple drug possession charges, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, five counts of certain persons not to possess firearms, and financial facilitation.
On June 25, Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered Ryan Weil detained pending trial.
Kenneth Weil faces many of the same narcotics distribution, weapons, conspiracy, and financial facilitation charges. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail before being released under New Jersey’s bail reform law.
“Detectives subsequently executed the search warrant on the residence. As a result, Detectives seized the aforementioned package in addition to other contraband found throughout the house,” prosecutors said.
The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Brick Township Police Department, Manchester Police Department, and several specialized law enforcement units.
The charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Detectives intercepted a package containing approximately 15 grams of cocaine allegedly purchased through the dark web using cryptocurrency.
- A search of the Brick Township home uncovered about 20 pounds of marijuana, multiple other controlled substances, six firearms, and approximately $34,000 in cash.
- Ryan Weil remains jailed pending trial, while Kenneth Weil was released under New Jersey’s bail reform law.
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