As the result of a four-month-long investigation into heavy drug activity in Monmouth County, two area men and one woman were arrested on drug dealing and possession charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

The investigation culminated on Wednesday with searches executed by detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section and Long Branch and Neptune Township police at residences in the 3600 block of Route 33 in Neptune Township and the 200 block of 6th Avenue in Long Branch, and two motor vehicles. 

The searches resulted in the seizure of more than five ounces of cocaine, a small amount of heroin, under 50 grams of marijuana and roughly $3,000 in cash. 

During the course of the investigation, Long Branch resident Alek Quinones, 25, was identified as someone who allegedly distributed cocaine in an aggregate quantity of more than one half an ounce on five separate occasions in Long Branch. The investigation revealed Anthony Vamvas, 28, also of Long Branch, was allegedly Quinones’ cocaine supplier. Vamvas allegedly stored the cocaine in the Neptune Township apartment of Larissa Rodriguez, 21. 

Vamvas was charged with: one count of first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, four counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, three counts of third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, one count of second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and one count of fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia.

Quinones was charged with: one count of  first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, five counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, five counts of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within a school zone, two counts of third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance within a school zone, one count of second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, one count of second-degree of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of third-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, one count of second-degree conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and six counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Rodriguez was charged with: two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and fourth-degree possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The investigation was led by a Task Force officer on loan from the Long Branch Police Department. The officer is assigned to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Investigation section. 

“We must maintain our focus on those people who are moving drugs into our communities and creating havoc on our streets and in our own neighborhoods. These arrests are a great example of how the combined efforts of law enforcement garner tangible results.”

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni

The case is assigned to Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Merlin K. Thomas.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can contact the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com

If convicted of any first degree crimes, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison and subject to a parole ineligibility period of up to one half of that sentence.

If convicted of any second degree crimes, they each face a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison. If convicted of any third-degree offenses, they each face a sentence of three to five years in state prison, and a fourth-degree conviction carries a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison. 

— Edited press release from the Mommouth County Prosecutor’s Office