Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Bayshore Task Force, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Unit Gang & Criminal Enterprise Unit, collaborated with United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force-Red Bank, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team, Ocean Gate Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, and Highlands Police Department to conduct an investigation into the illegal distribution of marijuana in Ocean and Monmouth counties.
This 26-month-long cooperative multi-agency investigation identified Ben Gross, 40, of Toms River, as the owner of “Barbwire” – a company that owned vending machines dispensing marijuana products throughout the State of New Jersey. The vending machines were located in places of business that were unlicensed to dispense marijuana products.
On April 17, 2026, Detectives from the aforementioned agencies conducted stationary and mobile surveillance on Gross’s residence. Detectives observed Gross exit the residence, enter a motor vehicle and leave the area. Detectives effectuated a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle operated by Gross; he was taken into custody without incident. Subsequently, Detectives executed court-authorized search warrants on Gross’s residence in Toms River, a residence in Lakewood, a residence in Jackson, and a warehouse in Manchester Township. As a result, Detectives seized flower marijuana exceeding 100 pounds, five pounds of hashish, several hundred pounds of THC infused candy, and THC infused vaping products. At the warehouse in Manchester Township, Detectives located Delma Canales-Garcia, 50, and Susana Garcia-Canales, 42, both of Lakewood, and Carlos Sanchez-Castillo, 22, of Toms River. All three individuals were taken into custody without incident.
Simultaneously, eight teams made up of various law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at more than 80 locations throughout the State. Those locations included various businesses that were renting space for the “Barbwire” vending machines distributing marijuana. In total, 80 “Barbwire” vending machines were seized.
Ben Gross was charged with Possession of 25 Pounds or More of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, Conspiracy to Distribute 25 Pounds or More of Marijuana, Possession of Five Pounds or More of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Gross was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Delma Canales-Garcia, Susana Garcia-Canales, and Carlos Sanchez-Castillo, were each charged with Possession of 25 Pounds or More of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Distribute 25 or More of Marijuana, Possession of Five Pounds or More of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. All three defendants were transported to the Ocean County Jail where they are presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“This case highlights the power of collaboration among law enforcement agencies at every level. Through coordinated investigative efforts, we were able to disrupt the illegal sale of marijuana operating within our communities,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “While marijuana possession is legal for adults under certain circumstances in New Jersey, it is still illegal to sell marijuana without proper licensure. The distribution of cannabis is strictly regulated, and those who choose to operate outside of that legal framework will be held accountable,” concluded Prosecutor Billhimer.
“While recreational cannabis was legalized in New Jersey several years ago, clear-cut criminal penalties remain on the books for precisely this set of circumstances – because consumers in New Jersey deserve to know precisely what they are buying and from whom, resting assured that the production, packaging, and sale of their purchases has been arranged in safe, legal, and well-regulated fashion,” Prosecutor Santiago added. “These arrests and seizures should send a clear message to those who might choose to circumvent the rules for a quick profit: you will be investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable.”
Prosecutor Billhimer and Prosecutor Santiago commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Bayshore Task Force, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Unit Gang & Criminal Enterprise Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas-Monmouth/Ocean Post of Duty (HIDTA/MOPOD) Group 5, Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force-Red Bank, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Ocean Gate Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team, and Highlands Police Department for their combined and collaborative efforts and 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).