A Lakewood man has landed himself in prison on narcotics charges following a two-month-long investigation into his alleged distribution of cocaine in the Ocean County area.
After an exhaustive, cooperative, multi-agency investigation, law enforcement officials identified two residences in Lakewood as allegedly being utilized by Ranyer Meyreles-Alvarado, 29, of Lakewood, to store and distribute cocaine.
In furtherance of the investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, along with Officers of the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, detained Meyreles-Alvarado during a motor vehicle stop in Lakewood on April 17. These agencies then executed previously obtained court-authorized search warrants on the two subject residences in Lakewood. As a result, law enforcement seized approximately 165 grams of cocaine, and roughly $6,000 in cash.
Meyreles-Alvarado was charged with Possession of Cocaine in an Amount Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Meyreles-Alvarado was taken into custody, processed at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters, and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released from the Ocean County Jail on April 19 as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their collaborative assistance in connection with the investigation.
So, “after an exhaustive, cooperative, multi-agency investigation” spanning two months and who knows how many man-hours, there are now “approximately” 5.82 fewer ounces of cocaine and “roughly” $6,000 off the street. Thankfully, the Pablo Escobar wannabe was taken off the streets too. For two days at least.
I was wondering how the marijuana ban was going to play out, but I needn’t worry. Lakewood is a drug-free township and its leadership clearly has a tight grip on the reigns.
Go get ’em tiger!