Five individuals accused of narcotics distribution face charges.
A collaborative multi-agency investigation involving law enforcement agencies has resulted in the seizure of drugs and assets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The operation was led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and supported by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, United States Drug Enforcement Administration – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Group 5, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department K-9 Unit, South Toms River Police Department, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Eatontown Borough Police Department, Howell Township Police Department K-9 Unit, City of Long Branch Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation centered on Octavaeous Jenkins, 49, who was suspected of distributing cocaine in the Ocean County and Monmouth County areas. Detectives from the law enforcement agencies conducted surveillance on subject residences in South Toms River, Brick Township, and Long Branch to gather evidence. They observed Jenkins meeting with Ralph Durand, 56, in Monmouth County on May 9, 2023. The officers detained Jenkins and Durand and discovered that they were in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Following the arrests, multiple court-authorized search warrants were executed on all of the subject residences.
The result of the raids was remarkable, as law enforcement seized around 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in United States currency, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 50 dosage units of heroin. Additionally, detectives seized approximately $488,522 in personal banking accounts belonging to Ralph Durand and Krystal Villano, believed to be connected to their narcotics distribution network. Emily Durand, Jaiden Durand, and Krystal Villano were placed under arrested at the residence in Long Branch.
Octavaeous Jenkins was charged with different offenses, such as Distribution of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine, Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Financial Facilitation. Jenkins was later transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ralph Durand was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Durand was transported to the Monmouth County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing. In comparison, Krystal Villano was charged with Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Library, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Financial Facilitation. Villano was served with the charges via summons pending an initial appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Finally, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer praised the collective effort of all participating agencies in connection with the investigation. He reminded the public that the charges are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
