Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Manchester Township Chief of Police Robert Dolan announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Unit, to conduct an investigation into the illegal distribution of Marijuana and THC-related products in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a business in Toms River called “EarthE CBD,” as well as two residences – one in Toms River and one in Brick Township – as being utilized by Scott Carlino, 52, of Toms River, and his mother, Ellen Carlino, 74, of Brick Township, to store and distribute large quantities of marijuana and THC-related products.
Between the months of May and September 2023, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies conducted surveillance on the business in Toms River and the residences in Toms River and Brick Township. On September 28, 2023, Detectives observed Scott Carlino leaving the residence in Toms River and enter his vehicle. Carlino was thereafter observed traveling north on the Garden State Parkway; a motor vehicle stop was effectuated on Carlino’s vehicle by the New Jersey State Police, and he was taken into custody without incident.
Multiple court-authorized search warrants were then executed upon the business in Toms River and the two subject residences. As a result, law enforcement seized – in combination from the business and the two residences – approximately 70 pounds of marijuana, 1,500 pounds of THC-related products, a 9 mm handgun, and approximately $390,000 in United States currency. Additionally, Detectives seized approximately $217,000 from personal bank accounts belonging to Scott Carlino.
Scott Carlino was charged with Possession of Marijuana in a Quantity Greater than 25 Pounds with Intent to Distribute, Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility, Possession of a Weapon during the course of Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ellen Carlino was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Financial Facilitation, and taken into custody at the Brick Township residence. Ellen Carlino was served with the charge via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Dolan commend the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Brick Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department Patrol Division, New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Central Unit, and New Jersey State Police Troop D, 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.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).