by Al DellaFave, OCPO
TOMS RIVER-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Chief of Police Mitch Little announced today the culmination of an investigation by Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit along with members of the Toms River Police Special Enforcement Team resulting in the arrest of an out of state fentanyl dealer. The partnering agencies operation culminated in the arrest of two Philadelphia residents on multiple drug charges and seizure of a large quantity of fentanyl.
The above investigation which began in mid-December centered around a Philadelphia man who was allegedly found to be distributing quantities of Fentanyl from a Toms River hotel. The investigation identified Farid Brown, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as being an alleged supplier of Heroin who would travel to Toms River regularly to distribute quantities of Heroin.
On December 28, 2016 detectives learned that Mr. Brown was staying in a room located at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge located at 955 Hooper Avenue, Toms River NJ. During the evening hours of Wednesday, December 28, 2016, members of the Toms River Police Departments Emergency Services Unit executed a no knock search warrant on room 135 of the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge. As a result of the search warrant Detectives recovered approximately 40 grams of a white powder believed to be heroin in raw (Unpackaged) form as well as in pre-packaged individual dosage units. Detectives also recovered drug paraphernalia such as rubber bands, hundreds of new unused wax folds, a scale and a small spoon often associated with the packaging and distribution of heroin.
Farid Brown was located in the hotel room at the time of the search warrant, along with Ms Ganiel L. Howard, 25, also of Philadelphia. Both Brown and Howard were subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Toms River Police Department.
The recovered white powder in both raw (Unpackaged) form and the pre-packaged folds of white powder that was originally believed to be heroin were submitted to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Lab. The test results revealed that the white powder was actually Fentanyl.
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Captain Jack Sramaty, who serves as the Commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, praised the efforts of all the detectives involved in this investigation stating, “The dedication and commitment of the Detectives of both the Special Operations Group and the Toms River Police Department are second to none. As a team, the Prosecutor’s Office along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners will continue to relentlessly identify, investigate and prosecute the dealers whose illegal activities are impacting Ocean County.”
In addition to the Prosecutor’s Detectives from the Special Operations Group and the Toms River Police Departments Special Enforcement Team, Toms River Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit, Operations Bureau and K-9 Unit all participated and assisted in this investigation.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Farid Brown, age 24, 6132 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania was charged with Possession of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl), Possession of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl) over one half ounce Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P set bail at $150,000 no ten percent. Mr. Brown was subsequently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
Ganiel L. Howard, age 25, 1515 North 58 th Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania was charged with Conspiracy to Possess of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl) over one half ounce Intent to Distribute. Ms. Howard was released on a summons pending future court dates.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
