Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, to conduct a three month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the Ocean County area. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a residence in Toms River and a residence in Berkeley Township as being utilized by Nicholas Ryland, 32, of Cream Ridge, to store and distribute narcotics in Ocean County.
On May 2, 2024, Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies established stationary and mobile surveillance on the subject residences in an attempt to locate Ryland. Detectives observed Ryland as well as a female – later identified as Quadazia Scott, 33, of Berkeley Township – exit the residence in Berkeley Township and leave in their respective vehicles. Surveillance was maintained by Detectives as Ryland and Scott left the area. As Ryland approached the subject residence in Toms River, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, along with Officers from Toms River Township Police Department, effectuated a motor vehicle stop on Ryland’s vehicle. Ryland was taken into custody without incident. The Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit subsequently executed court-authorized search warrants on the Toms River residence and Ryland’s vehicle. As a result, Detectives seized 46 grams of crack cocaine, several bricks of heroin/fentanyl, a large quantity of suboxone tablets, assorted drug paraphernalia, and $16,000 in United States currency.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit maintained surveillance on Scott as she traveled to Lakewood. Detectives ultimately effectuated a motor vehicle stop on Scott’s vehicle; she was detained and later released from the scene as Detectives applied for a search warrant for the vehicle. Execution of a court-authorized search warrant resulted in Detectives seizing a quantity of crack cocaine from Scott’s vehicle.
On the same date, in furtherance of the investigation, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court- authorized search warrant on the subject residence in Berkeley Township. As a result, Detectives seized a quantity of crack cocaine, assorted drug paraphernalia, a large capacity ammunition magazine, and a Glock semi-automatic handgun that had been reported stolen out of Richmond, Virginia.
Ryland was charged with Possession of More than One Half-Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One Half-Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than One Half-Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of Public Housing, Possession of Less than One Half-Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Within 500 feet of Public Housing, Conspiracy to Possess More than One Half-Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Less than One Half-Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Suboxone, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm, Possession of a High Capacity Ammunition Magazine, Possession of a Firearm During a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense, Receiving Stolen Property (specifically a Glock semi-automatic handgun), and Financial Facilitation. Ryland was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Scott was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess More than One Half-Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, and Conspiracy to Possess Less than One Half-Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute. A warrant was initially issued for Scott’s arrest; on May 3, 2024, Scott surrendered herself to the Toms River Township Police Department. Scott was subsequently released on her own recognizance.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department Patrol Division, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Patrol Division, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, 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).