Brick shootings prompt township wide anti-drug operation

In response to two recent shootings that occurred in Brick Township, Chief Riccio has stepped up patrols and special enforcement in areas known for criminal activity. Among other initiatives, manpower has been added to the department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Selective Enforcement Team (SET). Recently, Brick detectives joined forces with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in a joint effort to target areas known for illegal activity. These units worked together to aggressively target these areas which included areas which were frequented by the juveniles arrested in connection to last weeks shooting incident. This cooperative effort lead to the arrest of nineteen (19) individuals over a three day period.

The string of arrests, which took place between October 23rd and October 26th, involved charges of possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession of paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, hindering apprehension, and outstanding warrants. The drugs for which arrests were made included crack cocaine, heroin, MDMA/Ecstasy and marijuana.

Chief Riccio would like to personally thank members of the Ocean County Narcotics Strike force and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. “Our community was shaken by the senseless acts of violence which occurred last week. It’s important for our residents to know that we will always do everything we can to keep our community safe and our township peaceful,” Chief Riccio said. Officers continue to monitor, patrol and investigate these areas with the unwavering objective to seek out and arrest those responsible for criminal activity

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