Prosecutor: Hillsborough Man, One Other Arrested in Tri-County Meth Sweep

A Hillsborough man and several others were arrested after a four month tri-county investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, authorities said.

John Renner, 45, of Hillsborough Township and Michael Melitski, 54, of High Bridge were among several arrested in connection with the distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

On April 4, detectives from the Warren County, Hunterdon County and Somerset County prosecutor’s offices executed search warrants on Melitski’s High Bridge residence, a rented garage located on Belvidere Avenue in Washington Township and two of his vehicles. Authorities seized more than two ounces of methamphetamine, $20,000 in cash and three vehicles owned by Melitski during the searches.

Additionally, the Superior Court froze a personal bank account of Melitski’s holding a balance of $139,000, the prosecutor’s office said.

Search warrants were also executed on Renner and a property of his located on Route 206 south in Hillsborough, at which he ran his business. Authorities reportedly seized one-half ounce of methamphetamine and a firearm.

The four-month investigation revealed that between the years of 2013 and 2015, Melitski would often travel to a Pennsylvania casino and spend money used from his illicit activity to gamble, in an attempt to conceal the source of the cash, the prosecutor’s office reported.

Melitski was charged with second-degree possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, second-degree conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, second-degree money laundering and third-degree conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, authorities said.

Renner was charged with first-degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, second-degree possession of a firearm during a drug offense, second-degree conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, third-degree distribution of methamphetamine and third degree conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, the prosecutor’s office reported.

Melitski was held in the Hunterdon County Jail and Renner was held in the Somerset County Jail. Bail for both men was set at $350,000, cash only.

The methamphetamine seized in this investigation had a total street value of over $12,520, authorities said.

In addition to the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, numerous law enforcement agencies from Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties assisted in the investigation.

“As far as we are aware, this three county initiative was the first of its kind, and I must say that the teamwork was nothing short of spectacular,” Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said in a release.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III thanked the leadership of Soriano and Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke. “I also commend the investigators from all the participating agencies for their commitment, dedication, and hard work,” he said. “All involved worked together toward the common goal of taking this dangerous poison off our streets.”

(Photos courtesy of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office)