Russell Vann, 54, right, was one of 20 defendants named as alleged members of “a criminal enterprise responsible for the distribution significant quantities of heroin and the trafficking of firearms,” Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw, Jr. said in a prepared announcement.

Two other men arrested in the sweep and previously identified as Red Bank residents were not named in the indictment. They are Charles Dixon, 54, and Raymond Jackson, 41.

Vann, whose street address was not given, was among 40 people arrested in a series of raids last summer, the announcement said. The prosecutor contends Vann was a “mid-level” heroin dealer, one of a number of such alleged player who were

indicted for racketeering conspiracy for their roles as “runners” who distributed, stored or collected money for the sale of quantities of heroin sold under Stevenson’s supervision and at his direction.

During the course of the investigation, approximately 200 bricks of heroin, a quantity of cocaine and approximately $72,000 in U.S. currency was seized. The heroin seized has an estimated street value of approximately $50,000.

Vann was charged with multiple counts of drug possession and conspiracy, including the intent to distribute drugs in a public housing complex. He is not charged with any weapons-related offenses.

He was being held of $350,000 bail, with no option to post 10 percent, and facing a bail source hearing, the prosecutor said.

Here’s the announcement: 5.14.2012 Nygee Indictment. And here’s a charging chart identifying the defendants 5.14.2012 Nygee charging chart.

• On April 22, 2012 Patrolman Adam Colfer responded to a report of a collision at the intersection of Edward Avenue and Main Street in the Belford section of Middletown where a vehicle had struck a fire hydrant and then left the scene. Officer Colfer recovered pieces of the vehicle at the scene that assisted him in identifying the vehicle. Officer Colfer conducted a follow up investigation and located the vehicle at a residence on Church Street.

Officer Colfer continued his investigation which resulted in the arrest of Richard Weber, age 41, from Church Street for Possession of Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine with 500 Feet of a Public Park and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officer Colfer also arrested John Young, age 25, from Brainard Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, for Obstructing the Administration of Law.

Young was released pending a court date and Weber was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $50,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson. Officer Colfer also recovered $2,463.00 in currency from Weber which was seized for possible forfeiture.

• Ryan Liepa, age 23, from Polly Way in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 22, 2012 by Police Officer Lisa Vreeland for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date.

• Steven Nalbach, age 51, from Hamilton Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on April 22, 2012 by Corporal Gerald Weimer for Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Transportation. He was released pending a court date.

• Violetta Borovaya, age 21, from Congress Lane in South River, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Corporal Patricia Colangelo for Driving While Intoxicated. She was released pending a court date.

• George Gallagher, age 31, from Holly Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Patrolman Ian May on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Lyndhurst Municipal Court. He was released after posting $200.00 bail.

• Justin Pepchinski, age 33, from Bonafede Place in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Patrolman Michael Pintilie for Providing False Information to a Police Officer and on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Aberdeen Municipal Court. He was held on $637.00 bail.

• Davis Shelbrick, age 20, from Neptune Place in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 20, 2012 by Patrolman Donald Coates on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. He was released after posting $114.00 bail.

• Donna Wile, age 58, from Haven Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on April 20, 2012 by Patrolman Charles Higgins for Driving While Intoxicated. He was released pending a court date.

• Daniel Wahler, age 53, from Locust Terrace in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 20, 2012 by Patrolman Adam Vendetti on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.

• Justin Reynolds, age 26, from Chaucer Drive in Hackettstown, NJ, arrested on April 20, 2012 by Detective Adam Finck for Theft. He was released on $10,000.00 bail with a 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Stephen Allison, age 21, from Orange Avenue in Browns Mills, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Patrolman Richard Fulham on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Pemberton Municipal Court. He was released on $525.00 bail.

• Emily Reid, age 18, from Sycamore Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Patrolman John Mele for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released pending a court date.

• Nicole Fedi-Lane, age 27, from Ironwood Court in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 21, 2012 by Patrolman John Mele for Driving While Intoxicated. She was released pending a court date.

• Demond Hill, age 34, from Belza Road in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 22, 2012 by Patrolman Richard Fulham for Driving While Intoxicated and Refusal to Submit to Breath Tests. He was released pending a court date.

• Joseph McCabe, age 26, from Blanchard Avenue in Binghaton, NY, arrested on April 23, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of MDMA, Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $10,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Andrew Mullins, age 25, from Bray Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 23, 2012 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan and Patrolman Keith Hirschbein of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of MDMA, Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $10,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Michael Totaro, age 21, from Salisbury Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 23, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of MDMA, Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $10,000.00 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Arron Card, age 34, from Garfield Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on April 23, 2012 by Patrolman Albert Scott on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Newark Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.

• Anthony Longo, age 19, Warren Street in Rumson, NJ, arrested on April 24, 2012 by Patrolman Greg Buhowski on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Little Silver Municipal Court. He was released after posting $200.00 bail.

• David Matheny, age 50, from Seaside Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Corporal James Keenan on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Union Beach Municipal Court. He was held on $500.00 bail.

• Dylan Difilippo-Campbell, age 19, from Bayside Parkway in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana. He was released pending a court date.

• David Darragh, age 36, from Park Avenue in Matawan, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Shoplifting from the Rite Aid Pharmacy and Receiving Stolen Property. He was released pending a court date.

• Nancy Foley-Wadington, age 25, from Park Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Detective Daniel Sullivan for Burglary, Theft, Conspiracy, Criminal Mischief and on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Red Bank Municipal Court. She was held on $22,500.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Katrina Andia, age 30, from Park Avenue in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Detective Daniel Sullivan for Burglary, Theft, Conspiracy and Criminal Mischief. She was held on $20,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Allen Stenquist, age 38, from Front Street in Union Beach, NJ, arrested on April 17, 2012 by Corporal Gerald Weimer on Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,500.00 bail.

• Robert Leahy, age 23, from Main Street in Englishtown, NJ, arrested on April 18, 2012 by Patrolman John Mele on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Old Bridge Municipal Court. He was held on $289.00 bail.

• Chaula Bhatt, age 39, from Poplar Lane in Old Bridge, NJ, arrested on April 18, 2012 by Detective Daniel Sullivan for Terroristic Threats and Harassment. She was held on $10,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Thompson.

• Michael Fitzgerald, age 27, from new Monmouth Road in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 18, 2012 by Patrolman Andrew Micalizzi on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. He was held on $1,120.00 bail.

• Chris Needham, age 36, from Parkview Drive in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on April 18, 2012 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $250.00 bail.

• Nicolas Walker, age 18, from Palmer Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Patrolman Jason Caruso for Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.

• Leoncio Lalvay, age 44, from Newark, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Corporal William Kennelly on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court. He was held on $100.00 bail.

• Ryan Jones, age 19, from Herbert Street in Union Beach, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within a 1000 Feet of a School Zone, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms. He was released after posting $25,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Christopher Greiss, age 18, from Park Avenue in Union Beach, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein and Patrolman Brian McGrogan of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of over 50 Grams of Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1000 Feet of a School Zone, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms. He was held on $25,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• John Carroll, age 37, from Kings Highway East in Middletown, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte for Simple Assault. He was released after posting $2,500.00 bail with a 10% option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Elif Rasmussen, age 41, from Belshaw Avenue in Shrewsbury, NJ, arrested on April 19, 2012 by Detective Adam Finck for Theft. She was released pending a court date.

Some 40 teens from Rumson and Fair Haven, and a pair of Rumson homeowners, are facing charges following a police raid on a house party Saturday night, Rumson police said Monday.

The raid followed a police officer’s discovery of an “extremely intoxicated” female juvenile in the area of Bellevue Avenue and Rumson Road at 9:54 p.m., said Chief Richard Tobias.

Further investigation led police to a house at 60 Bellevue, where underage consumption of alcohol was occurring, Tobias said.

The homeowners were present, and were charged with maintaining a nuisance, a disorderly person’s offense, and were scheduled to appear in municipal court on May 9, he said.

Tobias, and a press release he issued, did not identify the homeowners. But Mayor John Ekdahl confirmed that the couple identified in property records as owning the home, Adam and Roslyn Bryan, were charged.

With help from Fair Haven police, “approximately 40″ juveniles were taken into custody and released to their parents, with possible charges pending, Tobias said.

Among those already charged is the teen who was alleged to have been drunk in the street. She faces a disorderly persons charge. Lieutenant Scott Paterson, who made the initial arrest, is determining which other juveniles to charge, Tobias said.

Ekdahl said the arrests come just as Fair Haven and Rumson are ramping up an anti-drug, anti-alcohol abuse alliance at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High.

The program, in development for several months and called the Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse, is scheduled to put a program officer in the school on a part-time basis to educate students and parents about the dangers of substance abuse.

The program came about, Ekdahl said, after an anonymous survey of R-FH students found that more than 50 percent of all students had used illegal drugs or alcohol, and more than 90 percent of seniors had.

The results suggested that an in-school Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program aimed at students as young as fifth-graders “is not having a great impact,” Ekdahl said.

Now, it’s time for the two towns to “crack down hard” on parents who allow kids to drink, Ekdahl said.

Such parties, said Tobias, “happen on occasion, and the town is reacting to that.”

On March 15, 2012 the Middletown Police arrested Jason Randell, age 25, from Patterson Lane on drug charges after the execution of a search warrant at his residence. The warrant was the result of a month long investigation by the Detective Bureau and Quality of Life Unit.

 Police say Randell was receiving shipments of large quantities of Marijuana from California through a package delivery service. Police recovered approximately ten pounds of Marijuana and seized $15,500.00 in cash as a result of the search warrant.

Randell was charged with Possession of Ten Pounds of Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 500 Feet of a Public Park, Possession of Hash, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of THC Wax, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe and Possession of Fireworks. He was held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, on $200,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard English.

Detective Lieutenant Stephen Dollinger credits Patrolman Frank Mazza and Patrolman John Mele of the Quality of Life Unit and Detectives Kevin Gardiner and Laurence Schachtel with conducting the investigation which led to the arrest and seizure of a significant quantity of Marijuana that was destined to be distributed on the streets of Middletown.

Hafner, 20, was the subject of a redbankgreen article in January. He claims he has a constitutional right to use marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder, even though a two-year-old state law allowing medical marijuana possession and use does not include PSTD.

Hafner, who now lives in California, vows to go to jail rather than plead guilty.

On Monday, a scheduled trial in municipal court was postponed until March 27 “because legal documents explaining the medical marijuana claims had not been exchanged” between the prosecutor and Hafner, the Press reports.

From the Press:

Hafner was joined outside the municipal court Monday morning by seven sign-toting medical marijuana advocates in a show of support before his scheduled appointment with the judge.

Hafner, a resident of Fair Haven when he was arrested in November, but now living in North Hollywood, Ca. since late January, claims he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to a series of events he would not discuss that occurred when he was 16 years old. He says he uses marijuana to ease his symptoms.

Hafner says he currently carries a letter from a California-based doctor recommending and approving Hafner’s use of marijuana for medicinal purposes to treat PTSD. But he says because medical marijuana laws are in limbo in New Jersey, he could not secure an OK from a doctor here before he was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana during the November motor vehicle stop.

“New Jersey is screwing up. This isn’t me doing anything wrong,” Hafner said Monday before heading into the courtroom. “I don’t blame the police for this. If you’re a police officer, your job is to enforce the law. But in this case the law is flawed and we need to fix it,” Hafner said. “This is not going to be in the legal realm forever.’’

On February 15, 2012 the Middletown Police Detective Bureau and Quality of Life Unit executed a search warrant at a residence located on Church Street in the Belford section of Middletown after an investigation into the distribution of narcotics from the home by a husband and wife.

Police charged Richard Weber, age 41, and April Weber, age 35, with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Park, Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Fireworks, Unlawful Possession of Xanax, Possession of Endocet with the Intent to Distribute and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Richard Weber was also charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Police recovered Cocaine, Marijuana, Xanax, Endocet, a variety of drug paraphernalia and illegal fireworks as well as $46,384.00 in currency police say was profit from the illegal sale of narcotics by the pair. The money was seized for possible forfeiture. Richard Weber was held on $317,000 bail with no 10% option and April Weber was held on $160,000 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Thomas Scully of the Monmouth County Superior Court. Both were being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ.

The execution of the search warrant was a result of a month long investigation conducted by Patrolman Frank Mazza and Patrolman John Mele of the Quality of Life Unit. The Detective Bureau was assisted by Sergeant Charles Terefenko, Corporal Joseph Glynn and Corporal Patricia Colangelo of the Middletown Police Department and Sheriff’s Officer Kurt Kroeper and his canine partner Evan of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Auto Theft occurring between 2-2-12 and 2-3-12 at Vista Place. Victim reported that unknown person(s) stole a silver in color, 2010 Mercedes Benz E300, NJ Reg. ZWG-29G from driveway. Ptl. Thomas Doremus.

Theft occurring at Tower Hill on 2-3-12. Victim reported that a 250 GB XBOX 360 gaming console was stolen by unknown person(s) from living room of residence. Ptl. Patrick Kennedy.

Criminal Mischief occurring on 2-5-12 at Chestnut St. Victim reported unknown person(s) kicked in door on rear of building. Ptl. David Hicks

Theft occurring on 2-7-12 at West Front St.—Antique center. Victim reported that unknown person(s) stole two antique collectable handguns from booth in store. Lt. Michael Clay

ARRESTS: 6 Contempt of Court

OTHER ARRESTS:

Justine Mattiolo, age 25 female of Red Bank was arrested on 2-9-12 in the area of Broad St. for COC [Contempt of Court] by Ptl. Matthew Ehrenreich.

Raheem Wilson, age 30 male of Asbury Park was arrested on 2-7-12 in the area of Shrewsbury Ave. for Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Administration of Law, Disorderly Conduct by Ptl. J. Quispe

Alicia Testa, age 22 female of Holmdel was arrested on 2-7-12 in the area of Prospect Ave. for Disorderly Conduct by Ptl. John Camarca.

Orlando Dawkins, age 20 male of Tinton Falls was arrested on 2-7-12 in the area of Bridge Ave. for Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, COC by Ptl. James DePonte, Ptl. Garrett Falco

Nicholas Estephan, age 24 male of Colts Neck was arrested on 2-7-12 in the area of Maple Ave. for COC by Ptl. Michael Zadlock.

Imelda Paz, age 35 female of Red Bank was arrested on 2-7-12 in the area of Leighton Ave. for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Aggravated Assault by Ptl. James DePonte.

Pedro Limon-Lopez, age 45 male of Tinton Falls was arrested on 2-5-12 in the area of Monmouth St. for COC by Ptl. Thomas Doremus.

Mark Cavanaugh, age 49 male of Keansburg was arrested on 2-5-12 in the area of Monmouth St. for COC by Ptl. Gary Watson.

Steven Signorello, age 48 male of Toms River was arrested on 2-5-12 in the area of Mohawk Lane for Poss. of CDS marijuana under 50 grams, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia by Ptl. Stan Balmer.

Mario Garcia-Ponces, age 36 male of Red Bank was arrested on 2-4-12 in the area of DeForrest Ave. for Harassment by Ptl. Ashon Lovick.

Kimberly Smith, age 39 female of Woodbridge was arrested on 2-4-12 in the area of Monmouth Street for COC by Ptl. Matthew Ehrenreich.

On January 31, 2012 at approximately 5:50 pm the Middletown Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Rite Aid Pharmacy located on Newman Springs Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Police say the suspect was described as a white male with a thin build between 5’08 and 6’00 tall. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a grey stripe on the front, large black framed sunglasses and dark colored pants.

Police say the suspect entered the pharmacy, lifted up his sweatshirt and exposed a black colored hand gun in his waistband and demanded Oxycodone pills. The suspect then fled the store and was last seen running behind the pharmacy.

 Police request anyone with information to contact Detective Daniel Sullivan of the Middletown Police Department at (732) 615-2255. The Rite Aid Pharmacy Loss Prevention Department is offering a $5,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect.

Here’s the full text of the report on the arrest of Dana Labriola (right):

On January 22, 1012, at 4:10 p.m., patrols responded to the CVS located at 510 Prospect Avenue after the store manager recognized a woman from a January 18, 2012 incident where she had exited the store with a basket of cosmetics without paying.

P.O. Salerno determined that the woman identified as Dana Labriola, 30 yoa of Monmouth Beach had shoplifted this evening and made the arrest.

While being searched by P.O. Amanda Arnold, Labriola was found to be in possession of 13 decks of what is believed to be heroin in her bra and purse.

Labriola was charged with shoplifting and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with bail set at $50,000.00 with 10% and was incarcerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute for failing to meet the bail requirements.

Police Chief Dan Shaffery tells redbankgreen that a deck of heroin is equal to 15 grams or less.

Apparently, bras are among the preferred hiding places for accused heroin carriers. Here are some result from a Google search:

1. Falls Woman Caught in Milwaukee With Heroin in Her Bra ‎ Patch.com – Jan 14, 2012 By Joe Petrie A 25-year-old Menomonee Falls woman is facing drug charges after she hid a bag of heroin in her bra for another man during a traffic stop.

2. Prison for woman who hid a stash of heroin in her bra ‎ Belfast Telegraph – Jan 10, 2012 A woman caught trying to hide £10000 worth of heroin in her bra and inside her body has been jailed for 15 months. Belfast Crown Court Judge Gemma Loughran …

3. Burnley gran stashed drugs in her bra ‎ Burnley Express – Jan 6, 2012 A HEROIN-DEALING granny who stashed bags of drugs in her bra has been given five months to keep out of trouble. Antoinette Heap (49), an addict for 20 years …