May 5, 2023
Yesterday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force collaborated with the Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, to conduct an investigation into the distribution of cocaine in Ocean County. This cooperative, multi-agency investigation identified a business in Toms River, known as “Leroy’s Tow Service,” as well as a residence in Manchester Township owned by Leroy Hairston, 43, as being utilized to store and distribute cocaine.
Detectives from the aforementioned law enforcement agencies initiated surveillance on the subject business in Toms River as well as the residence in Manchester. On April 26, 2023, Detectives observed Hairston leaving his business in Toms River, and continued to maintain surveillance on Hairston as he left the area. Hairston parked his vehicle in a nearby parking lot, at which time he was approached and detained by Ocean County Sheriff’s Officers without incident. Hairston was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters for processing.
Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit executed a court-authorized search warrant on the subject business in Toms River. As a result, Detectives seized approximately 100 grams of cocaine and $7,000 in United States currency.
Ocean County Regional SWAT thereafter executed a court-authorized search warrant on Hairston’s residence in Manchester. As a result, Raekwon Strand, 26, of Lakewood – who was present at the residence at the time of the search warrant execution – was found to be in possession of approximately 100 wax folds of heroin/fentanyl. In addition, $4,000 in United States currency was seized from the residence. Strand was subsequently placed under arrest at the residence.
Leroy Hairston was charged with Possession of More than One-Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Financial Facilitation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Raekwon Strand was charged with Possession of Heroin/Fentanyl and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Strand was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Detective Bureau, Ocean County Regional SWAT, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
