2 Charged In Manahawkin Drug Bust: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Two Philadelphia residents were charged at the conclusion of a local narcotics investigation, Stafford police said.

Charged were Carlos A. Martinez, 52, and Madeline Larosa, 31, police said in a news release.

The investigation led to search warrants being issued for a vehicle and for Martinez police said. The warrants were executed near Cook Road in Manahawkin on July 21, police said.

Martinez was found to be in possession of crack/cocaine, police said. His vehicle was also seized pending forfeiture.

Also at the scene, police discovered that Larosa had four different outstanding warrants out of East Brunswick, South Brunswick, Cherry Hill and Piscataway, police said.

A search of Larosa revealed possession of crack/cocaine, heroin and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Martinez was charged with possession/distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of certain public property, possession with intent to distribute crack/cocaine, possession of crack/cocaine and possession/distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone.

Larosa was charged with possession/distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of certain public property, possession of crack/cocaine, possession of heroin, possession/distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Martinez and Larosa were taken to Ocean County Jail where they remain pending a detention hearing.