Crime & Safety

Waretown Woman Among Those Arrested In Lacey Heroin Bust

by Daniel Nee

Lacey police arrested five people recently after receiving a tip that drug dealing was happening at a township home on Wednesday, police said.

While on patrol in the Pheasant Run section, Officer Michael Verwey received information from a resident that possible drug activity may have been taking place at a Brookdale Drive home in Forked River, said Chief David Paprota, in a statement.

It was reported that a person was seen at a side window of the residence, Paprota said.

While responding to the residence, Verwey stopped a vehicle leaving the suspect home. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Branden Barranger of Old Orchard Road in Toms River, was arrested for possession of a bundle – 10 wax folds – of heroin.

The investigation continued with officers responding to the Brookdale Drive residence, said Paprota, where police seized another 129 wax folds of heroin.

Arrested were Wessley Krempel, 24, of Beachwood; Michael Krempel, 23, of South Toms River; Noelle Hurley, 24, of Waretown; and Ariela Ceko, 18, of Bayville.

Ceko and Michael Krempel were charged with possession of heroin and released on summonses.

Noelle Hurley was charged with possession of heroin and turned over to the Ocean County Sheriff's Department for over $70,000 in outstanding warrants.

Wessley Krempel was charged with distribution of heroin, possession of heroin, possession of Schedule III prescription pills, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a hypodermic syringe. Wessley Krempel was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of $150,000 cash bail, Paprota said.


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