Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Manchester Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Aberdeen Township Police Department, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence in Manchester Township as being utilized by Giovanni Arroyave, 30, of Manchester, Giorgio Arroyave, 27, also of Manchester, Paul Saryan, 29, of Pine Brook, Hunter Penz, 23, of Medford, Rhianna Noonan, 22, of Bridgewater, and Ryan Verlie, 26, of Bayville, to store and distribute marijuana, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and methamphetamine.
On August 25, 2025, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies established surveillance on the subject residence in Manchester. Detectives observed that all of the above-mentioned suspects were present at the residence. Subsequently, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the residence. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 121 Pounds of marijuana, 100 Pounds of THC products, 75 pounds of cannabis concentrate, seven sheets of LSD, two pounds of methamphetamine, 20 Pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, six ounces of MDMA, 40 grams of cocaine, and $140,000 in United States currency. All suspects were taken into custody at the residence without incident.
Giovanni Arroyave was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than 100 Milligrams of LSD with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Giovanni Arroyave was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Giorgio Arroyave was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Giorgio Arroyave was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Paul Saryan was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Saryan was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Hunter Penz was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Penz was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Rhianna Noonan was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Noonan was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ryan Verlie was charged with Possession of More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Possess More than 25 Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Verlie was 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, Manchester Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Aberdeen Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts 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).