Crime & Safety

Matawan PD Seize Nearly 500 Decks of Heroin in Hazlet

Police also seized 14 bags of crack cocaine, Lt. Ben Smith said.

The confiscated 497 decks, or individually wrapped bags, of heroin and 14 bags of crack cocaine during a narcotics sting in Hazlet Monday night.

Matawan Detectives Joe Lovallo and Steve Sakowski were conducting surveillance of a blue 2000 Volvo and followed the car to Hazlet, where the detectives witnessed a drug transaction, Matawan Lt. Ben Smith said.

Hazlet Patrolman Scott Randolf stopped the Volvo in the McDonald's parking lot near the intersection of Route 35 and Hazlet Avenue at about 7 p.m.

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Two of the four men inside of the car were charged with drug-related offenses and one was arrested on a drug-related warrant out of Newark.

Reginald Roe, 30, of East Orange (formerly of Newark), was found in possession of 492 decks of heroin branded with the name "FedEx," Lt. Smith said. The heroin has a street value over $5,000, according to police. Roe was charged with second degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute. His bail was originally set at $30,000, but the court increased bail to $100,000 cash only.

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Naeem Hammond, 23, of East Orange, was found in possession of 14 bags of crack cocaine and five decks of heroin, Smith said. He was charged with third degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Jasmain Roe, 23, of Newark, was arrested on a bench warrant out of Newark for a drug related offense, Smith said. Jasmain is Reginald's younger brother.

The owner and driver of the Volvo, a Hazlet resident, was not found in possession of narcotics and no charges were filed against him as of Tuesday afternoon.

The narcotics sting stems from information gathered after the for a Tree Haven II apartment on Ravine Drive and a car parked on the premises in December.

When Matawan police and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT) entered apartment 38A in Tree Haven II on Dec. 14 at about 9 p.m., officers discovered over $3,000 in cash and $100 in counterfeit five and ten dollar bills, Smith said.

Police arrested Reginald Roe and Dashawn Nance, 22, of Matawan, during the execution of the warrant. Reginald Roe was ultimately charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, according to police.

Police continued to surveillance Reginald Roe after gathering information that he was still selling drugs in the area, Smith said.

The charges against Reginald Roe and Hammond are pending grand jury action at this time, according to Smith.

The Keyport Police Department also assisted in the investigation and arrest.


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