2 Plead Guilty In Cocaine Distribution In Ocean County

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man and a Long Branch man have pleaded guilty to their roles in cocaine distribution in Ocean County, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Octavaeous Jenkins, 50, of Toms River, and Ralph Durand, 58, of Long Branch, both entered their guilty pleas before Superior Court Judge Dina M. Vicari on Thursday, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Jenkins pled guilty to distribution of more than 5 ounces of cocaine and possession of more than a half-ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 4.

Durand pled guilty to possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine and possession of more than a half-ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25.

The two men were arrested following an investigation in 2023 that identified residences in South Toms River and Brick Township as sites Jenkins was using to store and distribute cocaine, along with a Long Branch residence that Durand was using to store and distribute cocaine, authorities said.

The two men were arrested May 9, 2023, after detectives saw them meet in Long Branch, detained them and found they were in possession of about 1 kilogram of cocaine, authorities said.

Search warrants executed at the three properties led to the seizure of about 1.25 kilograms of cocaine, $56,000 in cash, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 50 dosage units of heroin. Authorities also seized $488,522 in bank accounts belonging to Durand that authorities believed was related to the narcotics distribution network, authorities said.

Jenkins was initially charged with distribution of more than five ounces of cocaine, possession of more than a half-ounce ounce but less than 5 ounces of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of less than a half-ounce of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, conspiracy to possess more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, and financial facilitation. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail and released as a consequence of bail reform.

Durand was initially charged with possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public library, possession of cocaine, conspiracy to possess more than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and financial facilitation. He was taken to the Monmouth County jail and released as a consequence of bail reform.

Prosecutors will be seeking a 14-year prison sentence for Jenkins and a 10-year prison sentence for Durand, the prosecutor's office said.