HOWELL – Law enforcement officers uncovered what was described as a “marijuana grow” operation when they executed a search warrant at a Howell home. Weapons, including a grenade launcher, were confiscated during the raid.
Police said that on the morning of July 22, members of the Howell Police Department Crime Suppression Unit – Lt. Thomas Rizzo, Patrolman T.J. Hurley, Patrolman Ryan Richards and Patrolman Nicholas Bonadrew – executed a search warrant at a single-family home at 100 Route 34.
The Howell police officers were assisted by representatives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the New Jersey State Police.
The execution of the search warrant was the result of an investigation into a marijuana grow operation and the distribution of marijuana from the home, according to a press release.
The suspect in the investigation was Christopher Kilbride, 42, who is a resident at that address. When officers arrived at the home they found and seized 30 marijuana plants. The officers also seized 1 gram of a substance believed to be cocaine, according to police.
Police said a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun, rifles, shotguns and a grenade launcher were also seized at the residence. The firearms are not believed to be stolen at this time, according to the press release.
Police said Kilbride was charged with operating a marijuana grow, possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, possession of weapons while involved in drug distribution, possession of a destructive device (a grenade launcher which fires 37mm explosive rounds) and possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
Kilbride was placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $352,000 bail.
An individual police described as a friend of Kilbride’s, Amy O’Connor, 25, of Manasquan, was also present at the scene when the search warrant was executed. O’Connor was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia (a crack pipe) and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. Police said O’Connor was released on a summons.
The Route 34 home that was the target of the investigation is in the vicinity of Naval Weapons Station Earle and at one time was a residence for U.S. Navy personnel, according to police, who said the home has no connection to the Navy at this time. Police said Kilbride does not have any connection to the Navy or to any other branch of the military.
