Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Lacey Township Police Department Narcotics Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Brick Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of narcotics in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation ultimately identified a residence in the Forked River section of Lacey Township as being utilized by Jason Close, 41, of Lacey Township, to store and distribute quantities of Methamphetamine.
In furtherance of the investigation, members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lacey Township Police Department Narcotics Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Brick Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, conducted surveillance on Jason Close in Toms River on February 11, 2021. Members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department were able to detain and arrest Close without incident on that date. As a result, approximately 150 grams of Methamphetamine was seized from Close. A subsequent court-authorized search of Close’s residence resulted in the seizure of a quantity of marijuana, packaging material indicative of distribution purposes, and approximately $780 in cash.
Close was arrested and charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(8); Possession of More than Five Ounces of Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-6a; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2. Close was processed at Toms River Township Police Headquarters, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Narcotics Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Brick Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Close’s arrest.
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.