STAFFORD — Three people face drug charges after a traffic stop near the Walmart on Route 72 West led detectives to suspected methamphetamine, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia, police said.
The Stafford Township Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit stopped a vehicle near the store at 525 Route 72 West in Manahawkin at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23.
Police identified the occupants as Kristina Gordon, 51, of Barnegat; Harry B. Newman, 56, of Bristol, Pennsylvania; and Ronald C. Lyons, 64, of Levittown, Pennsylvania.
During the investigation, detectives learned Gordon was wanted on two active no-bail warrants. One had been issued by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey, while the other came from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office in Pennsylvania, authorities said.
Detectives searching Gordon after her arrest allegedly found suspected methamphetamine and several pills believed to be clonazepam. A later search of the vehicle uncovered additional suspected clonazepam pills and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Gordon was charged with second-degree possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, third-degree possession of methamphetamine, third-degree possession of clonazepam and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Newman and Lyons were each charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, third-degree conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and third-degree conspiracy to possess clonazepam.
Newman and Lyons were released on summonses after being processed at Stafford Township police headquarters. They are scheduled to appear in Ocean County Superior Court.
Gordon was taken to the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
