“Large Scale” Shore Area Drug Ring Busted, Most Already Released from Jail

TOMS RIVER-A joint task force between Monmouth and Ocean County law enforcement officials has led to the arrest of five individuals suspected of operating a large-scale heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine distribution network.

Today, all but one of those suspected dealers is no longer listed as inmates at the Ocean County Correctional Facility in Downtown Toms River.

A press release has been issued on the arrests:

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Monmouth Ocean HIDTA Task Force concluded a two month long investigation involving a large scale heroin/fentanyl and cocaine distribution network.

In December 2017, members of the Monmouth Ocean HIDTA Task Force, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police, Toms River Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department and South Toms River Police Department, executed three search warrants at locations in Toms River, South Toms River and Berkeley Township. These search warrants were the result of an investigation conducted by the Monmouth Ocean HIDTA Task Force involving Fentanyl distribution by Philip Tarver. The raids were carried out by the DEA SRT, New Jersey State Police TEAMS unit and the Toms River Police Department ESU.
These raids led to the arrests of;

Yolonda Richardson, 37 years of age, of South Main Street, South Toms River
Kimberly Tolbert, 51 years of age, of Washington Street, Toms River
Fatinah Dillard, 25 years of age, of Washington Street, Toms River
Jamal Barney, 19 years of age, of 10th Street, Berkeley Township

Agents and Task Force Officers seized over a half kilogram of cocaine, two hundred grams of crack cocaine, several ounces of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and MDMA. Officer also uncovered a heroin manufacturing and packaging facility at the South Toms River location. This facility had items commonly used to “cut” heroin and fentanyl and numerous empty bags used to distribute heroin. Officers also seized over $210,000.00 in U.S. currency and a loaded handgun.

Philip Tarver was not present at the time the warrants were served but a no bail warrant was issued for his arrest. Tarver was located and arrested on February 8th, 2018, by Brick Township Police Department where he was found to be in possession of a large quantity of heroin and ammunition.  Tarver is still being held in custody.

Yolonda Richardson was charged with (first degree) possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, (first degree) maintaining a heroin manufacturing facility, possession of cocaine and crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Philip Tarver, Kimberly Tolbert and Fatinah Dillard were charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin/fentanyl, possession of a firearm during a CDS offense and possession of MDMA. Jamal Barney was charged with possession of heroin and possession of marijuana.