Barnegat Couple Charged Following Narcotics Investigation

BARNEGAT, NJ — Two Barnegat residents have been charged with possession and intent to distribute illegal narcotics, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday.

Jason Maxson, 50, and Laurie Maxson, 51, were both charged with possession of hydrocodone pills, tramadol pills and drug paraphernalia, and possession of hydrocodone pills and tramadol pills with intent to distribute.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and multiple law enforcement agencies identified a home in Barnegat as being used by the Maxsons to distribute pain medication throughout New Jersey, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

While maintaining surveillance on the home Tuesday, detectives saw the Maxsons leave and enter a 2021 Honda Accord, Billhimer said. Barnegat police conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and the Maxsons were arrested without incident.

Police recovered 37,000 tramadol pills and 3,400 hydrocodone pills during a court-authorized search of the home, Billhimer said.

The Maxsons were both taken to Barnegat Township Police Headquarters where they were charged and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

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