Police arrest 20 accused drug dealers in Ocean County

Authorities say 20 people were arrested on drug related charges as a result of an initiative aimed at taking down heroin, prescription drug and marijuana distribution operations in Ocean County.

Operation "Southern Shield" began in March and culminated on June 16, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

"The investigation focused on mid-level heroin, marijuana and prescription pill distributors found to be operating in Ocean County," the prosecutor said.

As a result of an investigation, authorities arrested 20 people on numerous drug distribution charges. The prosecutor said police executed four search warrants during which they seized 1,500 doses of heroin, 112 oxycodone pills, crack cocaine, marijuana and Xanax. Police also seized $3,700 in cash and a Dodge Charger, according to a statement from the Prosecutor's Office.

In addition to the OCPO Special Operations Group, police say law enforcement agencies through Ocean County participated in Operation Southern Shield, including the Lacey, Waretown, Barnegat and Stafford Township police departments, and the Ocean County SWAT team.

The following New Jersey residents were arrested and those with set bail were transported to Ocean County Jail, authorities said:

• Micahel Araneo II, 23, of Lacey. Bail $100,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, oxycodone and Xanax; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Alyssa Everett, 24, of Lacey. Bail $100,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, oxycodone and Xanax; possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin.
• Thomas Rickmers Jr., 26, of Lacey. Released on his own recognizance. Charges: distribution and possession of Xanax, possession with the intent to distribute Xanax.
• Michael Araneo, 57, of Lacey. Bail $75,000, no 10 percent. Charges: Distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of heroin.
• Nicholas Picone, 29, of Lakewood. Bail $50,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Casey Sinopoli, 21, of Lacey. Bail $75,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Joseph Sinopoli, 23, of Lacey. Released on his own recognizance. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Ivory Lewis, 24, of Trenton. Bail $40,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Francis Jarczynski, 32, of Waretown. Bail $25,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Tiemear Lewis, 25, of Trenton. Bail $40,000, no 10 percent. Charge: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Sara Cervera, 20, of Barnegat. Released on her own recognizance. Charges: distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of marijuana.
• Jonathan Locilento, 44, of Lacey. Bail $75,000, No 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Marguerit Tyger, 30, of Waretown. Bail $50,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Kevin Kronberger, 25, of Waretown. Bail $30,000, no 10 percent. Charges: possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
• Paul Brennan, 53, of Lacey. Bail $50,000, no 10 percent. Charges: distribution, possession and distribution with the intent to distribute oxycontin/oxycodone.
• Peter Frate, 33, of Barnegat. Bail $5,000 with 10 percent. Charges: conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
• Donna Frate, 40, of Barnegat. Bail $10,000 with 10 percent. Charges: distribution and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
• Thomas Malone, 35, of Stafford. Bail $30,000 with 10 percent. Charges: distribution and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
• Mark Jung, 56, of Waretown. Bail $5,000 with 10 percent. Conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Still at Large:

• James Hallock, 38, address unknown. Bail: $75,000 no 10 percent. Charges: distribution and possession of heroin.

Police are stil searching for Hallock and ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-341-6150 or 732-929-2027.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.