Seven Busted In Jersey Shore Heroin Ring

File photo

  OCEAN COUNTY – A total of seven Ocean County residents have been arrested for distributing drugs in connection with a narcotics investigation.

  Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force along with the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit operated an investigation regarding the distribution of Heroin in the Ocean County area. 

  The investigation led to identifying two residences in South Toms River and a room at the Ocean View Inn and Suites in Toms River. Police discovered Kevin Morrison, Jr., 26, of South Toms River, Daniel Finklin, 26, also of South Toms River, and Rodney Morrison, 35, of Toms River, to be storing and distributing heroin out of these locations.

  A search warrant was then performed on the three subject premises and as a result, detectives seized approximately 3,210 wax folds of heroin, 52 ecstasy pills, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, drug paraphernalia and approximately $11,700 in cash.

  The following were arrested and charged in connection to the investigation:

  • Kevin Morrison, Jr., charged with Distribution of Less than One-Half Ounce of Heroin; Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute; Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces; two counts of Possession of Heroin; Possession of Ecstasy; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense; and Receiving Stolen Property. Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
  • Daniel Finklin, charged with Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Heroin; and Obstruction of Justice. Finklin is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
  • Rodney Morrison, charged with Distribution of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces; Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute; two counts of Possession of Heroin; and Possession of Cocaine. Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
  • Kiara Rivera, 22, of South Toms River, charged with Possession of Heroin in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Heroin; Possession of Ecstasy; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense; and Receiving Stolen Property. Rivera is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
  • Kevin Morrison, Sr., 49, of South Toms River, charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer; Obstruction of Justice; and Resisting Arrest.  Morrison is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
  • Brinda Kennedy, 56, of South Toms River, charged with Possession of Ecstasy, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Kennedy was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
  • Shelly Braker, 32, of Toms River, charged with Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Heroin. Braker was charged on a summons and released pending a future court date.
Shelly Braker (Photo courtesy Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office)

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Northern and Southern Regional SWAT Teams, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, Toms River Police Department Emergency Services Unit, South Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, South Toms River Police Department Patrol Division, South Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this very thorough and extensive investigation.

  The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.