Lakewood Man Charged With Heroin Distribution: Prosecutor

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man who was arrested in October on drug charges has been arrested for a second time on heroin distribution charges, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

James E. Wallace, 34, was arrested Nov. 12 following a two-month investigation into illegal drug activity in Ocean County, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Friday.

A search by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and officers from the Lakewood Police Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Police Special Response Team, and Brick Police Street Crimes Unit led to the seizure of 1,800 dosage units of heroin and nearly $2,300 in cash at Wallace's home, Billhimer said.

Wallace was charged with possession of heroin in an amount greater than one-half ounce with intent to distribute; distribution of heroin in an amount less than one-half ounce; possession of heroin in an amount less than one-half ounce with intent to distribute, and two counts of possession of heroin, Billhimer said.

Wallace had been arrested Oct. 16 after the Brick Street Crimes Unit seized about 10 wax folds of heroin, a plastic bag of cocaine, drug packaging materials and an undisclosed amount of cash during a search then, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said at the time.

Wallace is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, the prosecutor's office said.

"This was truly a collaborative investigation and all the officers involved did an outstanding job," Billhimer said. "Together, we will continue to root out these drug dealers — and the poisons they peddle — from our neighborhoods and communities."

The investigation included members of the Narcotics Strike Force, the prosecutor’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Lakewood Police Street Crimes Unit and Special Response Team, the Brick Police Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.

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