Significant Drug Bust in Ocean County Leads to Six Arrests

Woman Charged After Teen and Pets Found in Filthy Conditions

Significant Drug Bust in Ocean County Leads to Six Arrests

Following a multi-agency investigation that lasted months, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said that six people had been arrested and that a large amount of cash and drugs had been seized from a Manchester home.

After surveillance verified that the suspects were inside, authorities conducted a raid on the house on August 25.

Approximately 121 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of THC products, 75 pounds of cannabis concentrate, 20 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, two pounds of methamphetamine, seven sheets of LSD, six ounces of MDMA, 40 grams of cocaine, and approximately $140,000 in cash were seized by the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team when they carried out the court-approved warrant.

Hunter Penz, 23, of Medford; Rhianna Noonan, 22, of Bridgewater; Ryan Verlie, 26, of Bayville; Giovanni Arroyave, 30, and Giorgio Arroyave, 27, both of Manchester, were taken into custody without incident.

The charges cover everything from financial facilitation and conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, hashish, LSD, methamphetamine, and MDMA.

Following their booking into the Ocean County Jail, the majority of the accused were released in accordance with New Jersey's bail reform regulations. Verlie is awaiting his initial court appearance after receiving a summons.

In what he described as a successful collaborative operation, Billhimer thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Manchester and Berkeley police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Aberdeen police, and the county SWAT team.