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Jireh Mathis, 27, and Tashawn McDonald, 23, were arrested after a two-month investigation. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced their arrests on Monday, Jan. 29.
Police began surveillance on Mathis and McDonald in early December 2023. Mathis drove McDonald to the Green Meadow Apartment Complex in Toms River on Monday, Jan. 22.
Officers approached the two men after they got out of their vehicle. Mathis tried to run away, but he was caught by police. McDonald was arrested "without incident."
Investigators found Mathis with about 500 wax folds of heroin and fentanyl, along with ten grams of cocaine. Police seized about 1,500 wax folds of the opioids and 25 grams of cocaine during the investigation.
Mathis was charged with possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin, conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, and resisting arrest.
McDonald was charged with conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine.
Mathis is being held in the Ocean County Jail and awaits his trial. McDonald was served his charges by a summons before a first appearance in county superior court.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents helped several law enforcement agencies throughout Ocean, Mercer, and Camden counties in the investigation.
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