A large-scale heroin distribution ring operating in the Bayshore area was busted following a 16-month investigation, officials say.
“Operation Finished Business” ended with charges against 32 individuals connected to the ring, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
“This investigation deals a critical blow to a narcotics trafficking network that has plagued the towns and neighborhoods in the Bayshore region for a long time,” Gramiccioni said in a media release April 15.
Gramiccioni credited the members of the MCPO’s Narcotics Unit and Bayshore Narcotics Task Force for the bust.
“They are committed to ending the epidemic of fatal overdoses and opioid abuse that is unfortunately so prevalent in our community today. Thanks to the excellent work by this team of investigators, the flow of these deadly drugs into our community has been significantly disrupted.
“Heroin, and specifically heroin laced with fentanyl, represents an unacceptable threat to lives in this community,” Gramiccioni said.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 28 of the 32 individuals who have been charged in connection with the investigation. Four individuals are still at large and are considered fugitives from justice.
Police allege that members of this trafficking network distributed 20,000 bags of heroin monthly, including substantial quantities of fentanyl-laced heroin, to members of the public at various locations stretching from Aberdeen to Highlands. The network was run from multiple homes and apartments across Monmouth and Ocean counties. The narcotics supply was replenished with routine trips to Newark, police said.
According to the MCPO, the street value of the narcotics is approximately $200,000 to $400,000.
The pursuit of warrants at locations in Monmouth, Ocean and Essex counties resulted in the seizure of 3,200 bags of heroin, about $12,000 in cash, eight vehicles, two motorcycles and one trailer, all of which are believed to have been used in the illegal sale of narcotics.
Police allege that Anthony Distaulo, 33, of Jackson was the leader of the trafficking operation.
Eight others are accused of conspiring with Distaulo as accomplices, including Joseph Bartucci, 32, of Keansburg; Anthony Distaulo’s mother Mechelle Distaulo, 52, of Brick; Kate Ellis, 28, of Jackson; James Granberg, 42, of Keypor t; Khalil Hill aka “Drama,” 35, of Newark; Kayleigh Leonard, 30, of Jackson; Vincent Mielnicki, 39, of Union Beach; and Matthew Rowland, 34, of Red Bank.
The investigation also led to charges against 23 people who were purchasing narcotics from one or more of the distributors of this heroin trafficking network, including Brianne Benedetto, 29, of Millstone; Barbara Bryk, 51, and her husband Randy Bryk, 54, both of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; Keith Chanley, 28, of South Amboy; Matthew Demko, 38, of Keyport; Nicole Fox, 33, of Keansburg; Eric Greer, 55, of Morganville; Kyle Groat, 31, of Middletown; Ashley Groc, 25, of South Amboy; Emily Heun, 34, of the Leonardo section of Middletown; David Isaksen, 42, of the Leonardo section of Middletown; Jacquelin Kelly, 53, of Keansburg; Veronica Lapsley, 42, of Keansburg; Sean LaFata, 35, of Keyport; Brittany Matias, 23, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; DebbieJo Mezzacappa, 29, of the Leonardo section of Middletown; Ranya Mobarak, 31, of Hazlet; Daniel Notaroberto, 32, of Middletown; Anthony Pane aka “Bug,” 28, of Hazlet; Anthony Schiano, 30, of Keyport; Alfred Valli, 54, of Middletown; Kurt Westendorf, 60, of Keansburg; and Melissa Whiteman, 30, of Hazlet.
