Cops find 6,900 bags of heroin through investigation stemming from traffic stop
Suspect's bail set at $500,000 cash
The Asbury Park Police Department and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office collaborated on an investigation earlier this month that led them to locate $69,000-worth of heroin, some methadone pills and cash in a safe in the city, Asbury Park Police Captain Anthony Salerno said today.
The investigation began when a city police officer stopped Vince Jackson, 48, of Asbury Park for a routine motor vehicle stop at about 11:30 p.m. on April 6, Salerno said.
During the course of the motor vehicle stop, the officer found narcotics in the vehicle, Salerno said. Jackson was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance [CDS] and possession of CDS with intent to distribute, Salerno said. His bail was set at $150,000 with no 10-percent option.
The investigation continued with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Asbury Park Police Narcotics and Gang Unit, Salerno said.
“They were able to locate and seize a safe on Washington Avenue in Asbury Park” four days later, on April 10, Salerno said. The safe was located at about 4:30 p.m.
In that safe, officers found 138 bricks of heroin, which translates into 6,900 bags with a street value of about $69,000, Salerno said. They also seized methadone pills and $26,000 from the safe, as well as a 1998 Oldsmobile that was used for transporting narcotics, Salerno said.
Jackson has prior felony convictions and was already under indictment for previous drug distribution charges when he was arrested on these charges, Salerno said. Following the discovery of the safe, he was charged with possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS in a school zone, possession of CDS with intent to distribute in a school zone, and possession of CDS with intent to distribute in a park zone. Now, his bail is set at $500,000 in cash, Salerno said.
A Monmouth County Superior Court judge set the bail, and a source hearing is ordered if Jackson is able to make bail. In the hearing, he will have to show where his bail money has come from, Salerno said.
