Man Charged With Distributing Marijuana From Berkeley Home

BERKELEY, NJ — A 35-year-old man has been charged with distributing marijuana from a home in the Holiday City West section of Berkeley, police said Thursday.

Berkeley detectives executed three court authorized narcotics search warrants in multiple jurisdictions in Ocean County on Wednesday.

An investigation was prompted by numerous neighbor complaints over the last several months in reference to the sale of marijuana from a home on Vail Street in the senior citizen community of the Holiday City West section of Berkeley Township, police said.

The distribution operation caused significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic to the area, impacting the quality of life in the “normally quiet location,” police said.

As a result of these warrants, police arrested Daniel Kessel, who was operating under the business name Bud Hub. Police also seized marijuana, related paraphernalia, a Jeep Gladiator and over $400,000 in cash.

Kessel was charged with second degree money laundering, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana.

More charges are expected as the evidence is processed, police said.

Kessel was transported to the Ocean County Jail in accordance with bail reform.

“The Berkeley Township Police Department would like our residents to know that we respect and acknowledge the fact that the marijuana laws have changed significantly in the past year with its structured legalization. With that being said, it is still unlawful to distribute this marijuana outside the confines of the new laws,” police said.

Police are reminding residents to report suspicious activity to the police department by calling 732-341-1132, ext. 611. Tips can be anonymous.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, the Ocean Gate Police Department, the Lacey Township Detective Bureau and the Toms River Township Police Department assisted with the investigation.

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