Brick Man Faces Drug Charges After Motor Vehicle Stop: Police

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man is facing multiple drug charges after authorities seized Xanax, heroin, cocaine and other items from his vehicle following a motor vehicle stop, police said Friday.

Frank Russo Jr., 66, was pulled over about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday near the area of Church Road and Mantoloking Road by detectives from the Brick Township Street Crimes Unit, Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said.

The investigation during the stop led to the seizure of seven Xanax pills, 30 bags of heroin packaged for resale, 3 grams of crack cocaine, cocaine packaged for resale, and drug paraphernalia, Finelli said. Russo also was found with a butterfly-style knife, she said.

An unspecified amount of cash was seized pending forfeiture, Finelli said.

Russo was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of Xanax, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, paraphernalia, hindering apprehension and possession of a weapon, she said. He also was issued traffic summonses for careless driving and a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, she said.

Russo was released on a summons pending a further court date.

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