OCEAN COUNTY – A father and son were charged after authorities said an undercover cocaine delivery tied to a dark web purchase led investigators to a Brick Township home where they seized drugs, guns and about $34,000 in cash.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Ryan Weil, 35, and his father, Kenneth Weil, 74, both of Brick Township, were arrested June 16 following a narcotics investigation involving county, local and federal law enforcement agencies.
The investigation began after U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspectors intercepted a package containing about 15 grams of cocaine, authorities said. Investigators determined the drugs had allegedly been purchased through the dark web using cryptocurrency and were addressed to Ryan Weil at his Brick Township residence.
Detectives obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the home and arranged a controlled delivery of the package. Authorities said detectives working undercover delivered the package to the residence and watched as Ryan Weil retrieved it and brought it inside.
Detectives then executed the search warrant at the home. During the search, investigators said they recovered the intercepted cocaine package, along with about 20 pounds of marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, Xanax, MDMA, oxycodone, ketamine, LSD and drug paraphernalia associated with narcotics distribution.
Authorities also seized three shotguns, one rifle, two handguns and about $34,000 in cash, officials said.
Ryan Weil and Kenneth Weil were both taken into custody at the home without incident.
Ryan Weil was charged with multiple drug possession and intent-to-distribute offenses involving cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, marijuana, Xanax, oxycodone, MDMA and LSD. He also was charged with conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, five counts of being a certain person not to possess a firearm and financial facilitation.
Ryan Weil was taken to the Ocean County Jail. On June 25, Judge Wendel E. Daniels, retired and temporarily assigned on recall, ordered that he remain detained pending trial.
Kenneth Weil was charged with multiple drug possession and intent-to-distribute offenses involving cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, marijuana, Xanax, oxycodone, MDMA and LSD. He also was charged with conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense and financial facilitation.
Kenneth Weil was taken to the Ocean County Jail and later released under New Jersey bail reform, authorities said.
The investigation included the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, the Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Special Emergency Response Team, Patrol Division and K-9 Unit, and the Manchester Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team and Drone Unit.
Billhimer praised the agencies involved for their work on the investigation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
