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William Manser, 44, and Jacquelyn Smith, 33, both of Berkeley Township, and Justina Candelaria, 44, of Barnegat, were arrested, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Apr. 5. Their arrests came after a monthlong investigation into drugs sold in the county.
Investigators began surveillance on a Berkeley Township home suspected of being used to store and sell drugs on Wednesday, Mar. 20. Police arrested Manser and Candelaria after they were seen leaving the home.
Candelaria was found with about one ounce of methamphetamine and Manser was found with an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team then executed a search warrant on the home.
Officers seized about six ounces of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with an undisclosed amount of heroin, crack cocaine, and MDMA. Smith was at the home and he was also arrested.
Manser was charged with possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of less than one-half ounce of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of less than one-half ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing project, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, possession of MDMA, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Candelaria was charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, wandering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Smith was charged with possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of less than one-half ounce of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing project, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, possession of MDMA, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Candelaria was held in the Ocean County Jail on unrelated charges, while Manser and Smith were released on bail.
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