The police departments from Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro provided assistance during a five-month investigation which culminated in the arrest of three individuals who are accused of moving about a kilogram of cocaine and 10,000 bags of heroin a week, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on June 20.
The investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section, dubbed “Operation Undertow,” culminated with the arrest of three men earlier in June. Gramiccioni said one man sought in connection with the alleged operation remains at large.
The prosecutor said Kurrian Grasty, 38, of Neptune Township, Terrence Wright, 47, of Orange, and Marlo Taylor, 41, of Neptune Township, were arrested as part of a drug distribution network based primarily in the Neptune Township area.
Grasty and Taylor were both arrested on June 7. Wright was apprehended on June 12.
After hearings before state Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon, sitting in Freehold, Taylor and Wright were denied pretrial release and were ordered detained at the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, to await trial. Grasty had a detention hearing scheduled for June 22. He remained incarcerated pending that hearing.
In addition, charges have been filed against Timothy Guest, 44, recently of Swedesboro and Irvington, who remained a fugitive in the case as of June 21.
Gramiccioni said two search warrants were executed in Neptune Township on June 8 and he said the searches led to the seizure of approximately one-half kilogram of cocaine (approximately 1.1 pounds), approximately 6,250 bags of heroin, a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and more than $35,000 in cash.
Additional search warrants for a residence in the city of Orange and two automobiles led to the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine (approximately 4.4 pounds). Together, the seized drugs have a street value of more than $300,000, according to the prosecutor.
Grasty is charged with two counts of first degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute on or near school property, two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, second degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, second degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second degree certain persons not to have weapons, second degree possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substance offense, and third degree receiving stolen property.
Wright is charged with two counts of first degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and second degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances.
Taylor is charged with one count each of first degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and second degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
Guest is charged with two counts of first degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, two counts of third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and second degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances.
If convicted of the first degree offenses, each defendant faces an extended term sentence of up to life in state prison. If convicted of the second degree offenses, each defendant faces a sentence of five to 10 years in prison on each count. If convicted of the third degree offenses, each defendant faces a sentence of three to five years in prison, according to the prosecutor.
In addition to the police departments from Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro, the arrests were made with assistance from the following agencies: Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Atlantic Highlands, Asbury Park, Belmar, Highlands, Allenhurst, Hazlet, Eatontown, Middletown, Wall Township, Neptune Township, Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Holmdel, Red Bank and Spring Lake police departments, according to Gramiccioni.
