Nicholas Ryland, 32, of Cream Ridge, and Quadazia Scott, 33, of Berkeley Township, were arrested after a three-month investigation. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced their arrests in a news release on Tuesday, May 7.
Police began surveillance on two suspected homes in Toms River and Berkeley Township on Thursday, May 2. Detectives saw Ryland and Scott leave the Berkeley home in their vehicles.
Ryland was pulled over by police as he approached the Toms River home and he was taken into custody. Officers seized 46 grams of crack cocaine, several bricks of heroin mixed with fentanyl, a "large quantity" of suboxone tablets, drug paraphernalia, and $16,000 in cash.
Scott was pulled over by police as she traveled to Lakewood and she was released after being detained. A search warrant was obtained and detectives found crack cocaine in her vehicle.
The county SWAT team also executed a warrant on the home in Berkeley. Police seized more crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, along with a large-capacity magazine and a Glock semi-automatic gun that was reported stolen from Richmond, Virginia.
Ryland was charged with possession of more than one half-ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of less than one half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of more than one half-ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing, possession of less than one half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing, conspiracy to possess more than one half-ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess less than one half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia, being a certain person not to possess a firearm, possession of a high capacity ammunition magazine, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, receiving stolen property, and financial facilitation.
Scott was charged with possession of cocaine, conspiracy to possess more than one half-ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to possess less than one half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute. She surrendered at Toms River police headquarters and was released on Friday, May 3 after a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Ryland was held at the Ocean County Jail to await a detention hearing.
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