Major Drug Bust: Cocaine and Fentanyl Found in Ocean County Home

Major Drug Bust: Cocaine and Fentanyl Found in Ocean County Home

Three individuals from Ocean County have been charged as a result of a narcotics investigation that revealed the distribution of cocaine and alprazolam/fentanyl pills from a residence in Waretown, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that a residence on Dock Avenue was utilized by 31-year-old Joelene Leck of Waretown for the storage and distribution of these illicit substances.

On February 25, law enforcement personnel observed the residence in question, during which a black Ford Explorer was noted to be involved in activities related to controlled dangerous substances, according to Billhimer. Subsequently, as the Explorer departed from the premises, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.

The driver, Thomas Rotella, 47, a resident of Bayville, and the passenger, Danny Skinner, 32, from Seaside Heights, were both taken into custody, and the vehicle, an Explorer, was impounded, according to Billhimer. A subsequent search revealed that Skinner possessed approximately one gram of cocaine along with 49 pills containing alprazolam and fentanyl, as stated by Billhimer.

Both individuals received their charges through a summons and are expected to appear in Ocean County Superior Court.

On February 27, law enforcement conducted a search of the Explorer, during which they discovered approximately 40 grams of cocaine, 60 grams of a combination of alprazolam and fentanyl, as well as drug paraphernalia suggesting involvement in narcotics distribution, according to Billhimer.

Subsequently, on March 3, additional charges were brought against Rotella and Skinner in relation to this case. Rotella surrendered to authorities on that day, while a warrant has been issued for Skinner's arrest, as stated by Billhimer.

Leck was arrested on March 6 for conspiracy to distribute alprazolam and fentanyl. She was subsequently taken to Ocean County Jail the following day, where she is currently awaiting a detention hearing.

Rotella faced initial charges for possession of cocaine, possession of alprazolam and fentanyl, wandering with the intent to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later charged with additional offenses, including possession of more than half an ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of alprazolam and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, as well as possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Skinner was originally accused of wandering for the purpose of obtaining or distributing a controlled dangerous substance. He faces further charges, including possession of over one half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of alprazolam and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of alprazolam and fentanyl, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.