Four Ocean County individuals have been arrested following a collaborative investigation into narcotics distribution by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and numerous local police departments, in which a Lakewood residence was used for purposes of storing and distributing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. On August 10, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force, along with Officers from the Pine Beach Police Department, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, and Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, established surveillance on the subject residence in Pine Beach.  Detectives observed Collins and Kelly leave the residence and travel by way of public transportation to the Ocean County Mall.  As Detectives maintained surveillance on Collins and Kelly, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Pine Beach residence.  Detectives then approached Collins and Kelly and arrested them without incident.  Collins and Kelly were found to be in possession of approximately 100 wax folds of heroin, 22 grams of crack cocaine, and $1,230 in United States Currency.  In addition, as a result of the execution of the search warrant on the Pine Beach residence, Detectives seized approximately 1300 wax folds of Heroin, 134 Ecstasy Pills, two semi-automatic 9mm handguns, and $9740 in United States currency.

On August 11, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force, along with Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, and Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence in Lakewood.  Though nothing of evidentiary value was located at the residence, Lacey Township Police Officers performed a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Hyman – with Steen as a passenger – in Lacey Township.  As a result of the stop, Hyman and Steen were arrested and approximately $5780 in United States Currency was seized.

Kevin Collins, 37, of Pine Beach; Daysha Kelly, 35, of Pine Beach; Elex Hyman, 49, of Barnegat; and Jamie Steen, 38, also of Barnegat, have been charged with multiple drug offense charges.