Ocean County Man Indicted For Running Drug Facility

Daniel Kessel (Photo courtesy Ocean County Jail)

  OCEAN COUNTY – A 35-year-old man has been indicted for distributing drugs and more after police discovered he was using his home to sell illegal substances.

  Daniel Kessel, 35, of Toms River was indicted on charges of Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity, Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of More than Five Pounds of Hashish with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Possession of Hashish.

  After police determined that Kessel was using his home in the Holiday City section of Toms River to distribute drugs, Berkeley Township Detectives executed a court authorized search warrant on his home on August 25, 2020.

    As a result, detectives seized about seven pounds of Hashish, two pounds of THC, drug paraphernalia, equipment and supplies indicative of manufacturing and distributing narcotics, and approximately $18,000 in United States currency. 

  In addition, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the safe deposit box maintained by Kessel at a Bank of America and seized an additional $61,000 in United States currency.

  Kessel was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

  Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Genna Moscato who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts and assistance in connection with this investigation ultimately leading to Kessel’s arrest and indictment.

  The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.