Two-Month Investigation Leads to Auto Shop Raid in Ocean County

Two-Month Investigation Leads to Auto Shop Raid in Ocean County

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, and Tuckerton Borough Police Department, to conduct a two month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County.

This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a business located in Little Egg Harbor Township, known as “Island Automotive,” as being utilized by James Palmisano, 49, of Little Egg Harbor Township, to store and distribute Methamphetamine.

As part of the ongoing narcotics investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject business on January 3, 2025.

On that same day, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the business and two trailers located on the property.

As a result, Detectives seized two double barreled 12 gauge silver sawed-off shotguns, a .22 caliber single action rifle, a Flintlock pistol, approximately 19 vials of suspected steroids, a quantity of methamphetamine, a quantity of hollow point bullets, numerous BB guns, and drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution.

During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives discovered two suspected explosive devices; as such, the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad was notified and responded to the scene, and both devices were secured. Palmisano was taken into custody without incident at the scene on January 3, 2025.

Palmisano was charged with two counts of Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose - specifically destructive devices, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon without a Permit - specifically a handgun, three counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically rifles and shotguns, two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device - specifically destructive devices, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device - specifically a sawed-off shotgun, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon or Device - specifically hollow point ammunition, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Steroids, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Palmisano was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently detained pending trial.