Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA Group 5, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, and South Brunswick Township Police Department, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of heroin in the Ocean County and Mercer County areas. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified two residences in Trenton and a hotel room in South Brunswick as being utilized by Aramis Wiggins, 32, of Trenton, to store and distribute heroin.
On April 6, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA Group 5, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, and South Brunswick Police Department, executed court-authorized search warrants on the two subject residences in Trenton, as well as the hotel room in South Brunswick. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 1800 wax folds of heroin, 55 suspected fentanyl pills, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm Carbine Rifle, a loaded Glock 30 Handgun, a Stoeger 9mm Handgun, and approximately $9000 in United States Currency. Wiggins was subsequently taken into custody at the hotel room in South Brunswick.
Wiggins was charged with Distribution of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of less than One-Half Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5); two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Fentanyl in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a; Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1); and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – specifically handguns – in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1). Wiggins was initially lodged in the Mercer County Jail, but subsequently released by the Court as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA Group 5, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Crimes Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, and South Brunswick Township Police Department, for their combined and collective 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).