Crime & Safety

UPDATE: More Ocean County Heroin Arrests; Over 10,000 Dosages In Two Busts

Drugs had a value of more than $50,000, police said

The heroin epidemic that's plagued Ocean County in recent years continued to rear itself this week in Toms River.

Police scored two major drug busts over the past two days which resulted in the seizure of more than 10,000 wax folds of heroin.

On Thursday, the department's Special Enforcement Team, along with the DEA's Atlantic City office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle off of Route 37 in the Toms River Center parking lot near the Kohl’s Department Store, said police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

The traffic stop was the result of a joint investigation into drug distribution in the Ocean County area and resulted in the seizure of 10,000 wax folds - 200 bricks - of heroin, said Stocco, as well as the arrest of three people.

Victor Tavarez-Rosario, 21, of New York City, Jose Ariel Taveras-Cabrera, 25, of The Bronx, and Jose Alberto Taveras-Cabrera, 28, of New York City, were all arrested.

All three were charged with possession of heroin and possession of over five ounces of heroin with the intent to distribute, which is a first degree crime. 

The estimated weight of the narcotics seized is 400 grams worth an estimated street value of $50,000, Stocco said.

Tavarez-Rosario is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, and Jose Ariel Taveras-Cabrera and Jose Alberto Taveras-Cabrera are being held in lieu of $350,000 bail and are being detained on I.C.E. detainers for immigration violations, said Stocco.

In addition, the day before the Route 37 bust, members of the department's Special Enforcement Team raided a hotel room at the Howard Johnson's off Route 37.

The target of the investigation, John E. McDaniel, 37, of Lakewood, was identified as a distributor of heroin in Toms River and Lakewood, said Stocco. During the raid, 864 wax folds of heroin, six bottles of Methadone, packaging material and $3,764 in U.S. currency were seized.

McDaniel was held on $75,000 bail after he was charged with possession of heroin, possession of Methadone and possession of heroin over one half ounce with the intent to distribute. 

Also arrested was Danielle Giberson, of Lakewood, for possession of Methadone and on the strength of an active warrant.

Stocco said the SET team was responsible for taking 16,000 dosages of heroin off the streets last year.

Upon being appointed chief earlier this month, Chief Mitch Little said he has expanded the unit and given them additional resources.

"This unit is invaluable to the Department and the township," Little said. "Our success is due to the talent and dedication of its members under the leadership and command of Captain Bruce Burgess of the Criminal Investigation Bureau."

"I am working closely with the mayor and township officials to get the department the resources it needs to succeed in this mission to combat the epidemic of drugs," the chief also said, in a statement. "They have been very supportive of the police department in this effort."


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