PRESS RELEASE-TWO OCEAN COUNTY MEN CHARGED WITH NARCOTICS DISTRIBUTION AND WEAPONS OFFENSES

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced the culmination of a three-month-long cooperative multi-agency investigation into narcotics distribution in Ocean County. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Northern Ocean County/Monmouth Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force (HIDTA), Manchester Township Narcotics Enforcement Team, Brick Township Street Crimes Unit, and Lakewood Street Crimes Unit revealed that two residences – one in Manchester Township and one in Brick Township – were being utilized by Victor Mendoza-Gutierrez, 24, of Manchester, and Jose Quintero, 36, of Brick Township, to store and distribute Cocaine.

On May 13, 2020, at approximately 3:30 pm, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, along with members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Northern Ocean County/Monmouth Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force (HIDTA), Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Brick Township Police Department Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), executed no-knock search warrants at both the Manchester and Brick residences. Just prior to the execution of the search warrants, Brick Township Police arrested Quintero following the execution of a motor vehicle stop upon his 2019 Ford F150. Mendoza-Gutierrez was apprehended at the Manchester residence. As a result of the investigation and execution of the search warrants, law enforcement located and seized multiple loaded firearms, approximately 1,050 grams of Cocaine, 20 grams of Methamphetamine, a quantity of Marijuana, drug paraphernalia indicative of distribution purposes, a high-end security system, and approximately $30,000 in cash.

Both Mendoza-Gutierrez and Quintero were charged with: Possession of Cocaine in an Amount Greater than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1); Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4; Possession of Cocaine in an Amount Greater than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces with Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); Possession of a Firearm while Committing a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a; two Counts of Possession of Cocaine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); two Counts of Maintaining a Fortified Manufacturing Facility in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4.1c; two Counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2; and Possession of Marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(4). Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues. Quintero is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing. Mendoza-Gutierrez was processed at Manchester Township Police Headquarters and released pending a future court appearance.

Prosecutor Billhimer wishes to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Northern Ocean County/Monmouth Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force (HIDTA), Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Brick Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Brick Township Police Department SERT, Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit for their combined assistance in this investigation.

The Public and Media are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.