On the evening of Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the Lacey Township Police Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 1006 Tampa Road in Forked River. The search warrant was sought during an ongoing drug investigation specifically targeting the distribution of heroin from the home.
During the search, detectives located 494 bags containing heroin. The target of the investigation, 30-year-old Stephen Carrington, Jr., was charged with Possession of Heroin and Intent to Distribute Heroin. His live-in girlfriend, 26-year-old Julie Patterson was charged with Possession of Heroin. Stephen Carrington, Jr., was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $250,000 bail while Julie Patterson was released on her own recognizance pending a Court appearance.
Lacey Police Detectives were assisted with the entry by the Ocean County SWAT Team. The initial search of the residence was conducted by K-9 units from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the Stafford Township Police Department.
The street value of the heroin is estimated at $4,000.