Drug Bust in Ocean County: Three Men Arrested

Drug Bust in Ocean County: Three Men Arrested

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Township Police Department, Beachwood Police Department, Island Heights Police Department, and Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, to conduct a three month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County.

This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence on Wave Street in Beachwood as being utilized by Elijah Metellus, 20, of Beachwood, to store and distribute cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, psilocybin, and marijuana.

On February 4, 2025, as part of the ongoing narcotics investigation, the aforementioned agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on Metellus’ place of employment.

Detectives observed Metellus leave his employer, enter a motor vehicle, and leave the area. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department effectuated a motor vehicle stop on Metellus’ vehicle.

Metellus was placed under arrest without incident and transported to Toms River Police Headquarters. A subsequent search of Metellus’ vehicle yielded approximately two grams of suspect cocaine.

On that same date, Detectives continued surveillance on the subject residence in Beachwood.

Detectives observed a male, later identified as Dominic McGriff, 43 also of Beachwood,, arrive in a motor vehicle and enter the residence. A brief time later, McGriff exited the residence, reentered his vehicle, and left the area.

Detectives continued to observe McGriff as he traveled to the area of the Emerald Apartments in Toms River. Detectives witnessed McGriff engage in a hand-to-hand drug transaction with another male, later identified as Robert Labocetta, 62, of Toms River. McGriff than departed the area. Detectives subsequently effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Labocetta.

Detectives discovered that Labocetta was in possession of a quantity of cocaine, and he was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives continued surveillance of McGriff as he traveled through Toms River. The Island Heights Police Department was contacted to conduct a motor vehicle stop upon McGriff as he traveled on Route 37.

McGriff was thereafter stopped and taken into custody without incident. A search incident to his arrest revealed that McGriff was in possession of approximately three grams of cocaine. Detectives then executed a court-authorized search warrant on McGriff’s vehicle; as a result, Detectives seized an additional eight grams of cocaine.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team thereafter executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject residence on Wave Street. As a result, Detectives seized approximately ten pounds of marijuana, 192 grams of psilocybin, eight grams of cocaine, a quantity of ecstasy/MDMA pills, drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution, a 9mm handgun, rounds of ammunition, and approximately $13,000 in United States Currency.

Metellus was charged with seven counts of Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, six counts of Distribution of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than Five Pounds but Less than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Psilocybin in a Quantity Greater than One Ounce with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Psilocybin, Possession of ecstasy/MDMA, eight counts of Possession of Cocaine, three counts of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a High Capacity Ammunition Magazine, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Offense.

Metellus was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

McGriff was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Distribution of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine, Wandering to Obtain/Distribute CDS, and Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine. McGriff was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Labocetta was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Wandering to Obtain/Distribute CDS, and Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine. Labocetta was transported to the Ocean County Jail, processed, and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Beachwood Borough Police Department, Island Heights Police Department, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

NARCOTICS OFFENSES