SEASIDE HEIGHTS — Two Seaside Heights residents were charged after authorities said a monthlong narcotics investigation led to the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, suspected fentanyl pills, ecstasy pills and cash from a local residence.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said detectives with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force worked with the Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and Asbury Park Police Department on an investigation into drug distribution in Ocean County.
Authorities said the investigation identified a Seaside Heights residence allegedly being used by Leo Johnson, 50, and Michelle Karcher, 46, both of Seaside Heights, to store and distribute illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and ecstasy pills.
On May 18, detectives set up surveillance at the residence. Investigators said Johnson was seen leaving the home and traveling to Monmouth County. Karcher also left the residence and was allegedly observed conducting a drug transaction with a known drug user before traveling to Asbury Park.
With help from Asbury Park police, detectives stopped the vehicle Karcher was driving and arrested her without incident, authorities said. Johnson was arrested without incident when he returned to the Seaside Heights residence.
Detectives later executed a court-authorized search warrant at the home and seized about 330 grams of methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, a quantity of ecstasy pills, drug paraphernalia associated with distribution and $3,000 in cash, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Johnson was charged with possession of five ounces or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than one ounce of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and related distribution offenses within 500 feet of a recreation zone. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, ecstasy and drug paraphernalia.
Karcher faces the same possession and distribution charges, along with wandering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance, authorities said.
Both Johnson and Karcher were taken to the Ocean County Jail, where they remained pending detention hearings.
Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, the office’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, Seaside Heights police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and Asbury Park police for their work on the investigation.
