Six people are facing a slate of drug distribution charges after investigators seized a massive stockpile of narcotics, cash, and THC products during a raid on a Manchester Township home, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
The bust followed a multi-agency investigation led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force in collaboration with the Manchester Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Detective Bureau, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, and Aberdeen Township Police Department.
Authorities identified the residence as a hub for storing and distributing large quantities of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cannabis concentrates.
On August 25, detectives set up surveillance outside the home and confirmed that all six suspects were inside. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team then executed a court-authorized search warrant, leading to the seizure of:
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121 pounds of marijuana
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100 pounds of THC products
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75 pounds of cannabis concentrate
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Seven sheets of LSD
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20 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms
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Two pounds of methamphetamine
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Six ounces of MDMA
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40 grams of cocaine
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$140,000 in cash
All six suspects were taken into custody without incident.
Those charged include:
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Giovanni Arroyave, 30, of Manchester: Faces multiple counts including possession with intent to distribute marijuana, LSD, MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and hashish, as well as drug paraphernalia and financial facilitation.
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Giorgio Arroyave, 27, of Manchester: Charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, hashish, and psilocybin mushrooms, conspiracy, paraphernalia, and financial facilitation.
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Paul Saryan, 29, of Pine Brook; Hunter Penz, 23, of Medford; and Rhianna Noonan, 22, of Bridgewater: Each charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 25 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy.
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Ryan Verlie, 26, of Bayville: Charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 25 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy.
All suspects, except Verlie who was charged by summons, were transported to the Ocean County Jail but later released under New Jersey’s bail reform laws.