Two Stafford Men Charged In Marijuana Distribution Operation

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ - Authorities have charged two township men with running a marijuana and marijuana THC oil distribution operation in Southern Ocean County, Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane said.

The arrests were the result of a one-month joint investigation into drug activity in the area. Police seized over six pounds of marijuana along with 100 vials of the oil, he said.

Erik Kretschmer, 23, 772 Buccaneer Lane and Garrett Mandrona, 23, 1070 Barnacle Drive, were arrested at their respective residences during a 5 a.m. raid on Monday, July 16, Capt. Jack Sramaty said.

The two used the homes to store and distribute the substances. Kretschmer also used a 2012 Ford Focus to store, transport and distribute the marijuana.

Kretschmer was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana over five pounds with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional charges against him are pending.

Mandrona was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were released on summonses pending future court dates, Sramaty said.

Detectives from the Prosecutor's Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit joined forces with the Stafford Township Police Department in the investigation.

The search warrants were executed by the Prosecutor’s detectives, the Stafford Township Police Department's Drug Enforcement Unit, K-9 Unit and members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team.

Photos: Kretschmer (top), Mandrona (bottom) Courtesy of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office