TOMS RIVER, N.J. – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Ricardo Cruickshank, 29, of Manchester Township, pleaded guilty to two separate counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, admitting his role in narcotics operations uncovered in 2023 and 2024 in Manchester and Lakehurst.
Cruickshank entered his guilty pleas on January 9 before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer, acknowledging possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute in each case. Prosecutors said the state will recommend concurrent seven-year prison terms when Cruickshank is sentenced on April 17.
Authorities said the first investigation began in March 2023 when members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit identified a Manchester residence allegedly used by Cruickshank to store and sell cocaine. Detectives observed him leaving the home and approaching a BMW sedan, later determined to be used for drug distribution.
He was also tied to an arrest in Jackson, New Jersey, in December 2019 after a house party stabbing incident, as well as on drug distribution charges in previous years.
A search of the vehicle yielded approximately 90 grams of cocaine, and Cruickshank was arrested without incident. A subsequent search of his residence resulted in the seizure of marijuana and about $1,300 in cash.
In a separate investigation during September and October 2024, detectives again linked Cruickshank to drug activity, this time involving a Lakehurst motel room. On October 10, investigators conducted a traffic stop in Manchester and executed a search warrant on his vehicle, recovering cocaine and roughly $2,500 in cash. Additional searches of the Lakehurst motel room and Cruickshank’s home uncovered more cocaine.
Both operations involved cooperation between the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Department, the department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Cruickshank remains scheduled for sentencing in April, when prosecutors will seek a concurrent seven-year state prison sentence for each of the two cocaine distribution cases.
