MANCHESTER — A months-long, multi-agency investigation led to six arrests and the seizure of a massive stockpile of drugs and cash from a Manchester residence, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Authorities raided the home August 25 after surveillance confirmed the suspects were inside. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed the court-approved warrant, seizing roughly 121 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of THC products, 75 pounds of cannabis concentrate, 20 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, two pounds of methamphetamine, seven sheets of LSD, six ounces of MDMA, 40 grams of cocaine and about $140,000 in cash.
Taken into custody without incident were Giovanni Arroyave, 30, and Giorgio Arroyave, 27, both of Manchester; Paul Saryan, 29, of Pine Brook; Hunter Penz, 23, of Medford; Rhianna Noonan, 22, of Bridgewater; and Ryan Verlie, 26, of Bayville.
The charges range from possession with intent to distribute marijuana, hashish, LSD, methamphetamine and MDMA, to financial facilitation and conspiracy. Most of the suspects were released under New Jersey’s bail reform rules after being booked into the Ocean County Jail. Verlie was issued a summons and awaits a first court appearance.
Billhimer credited the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit, along with Manchester and Berkeley police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Aberdeen police, and the county SWAT team, for what he called a successful joint operation.
