Authorities arrest 10 in “Operation Growin Up”; drugs, firearms, money seized
Marijuana candies, also known as "Jollies," seized in Operation "Growin Up." (Image: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
A multi-jurisdictional investigation culminated this week with the arrest of 10 individuals in Monmouth and Ocean counties as well as in California on various drug charges, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced today.
Dubbed “Operation Growin Up,” the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Operations Group, along with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants and made arrests Tuesday and Wednesday at homes in Point Pleasant Borough, Brick Township, Toms River, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, and Redding, California, authorities said in a release. Authorities also executed a search warrant at a gym in Manasquan.
“This outstanding cooperative investigation, which extended the reach of Ocean County law enforcement beyond our borders, involved the strength of the following agencies, in addition to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group,” Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said in the release.
The searches netted about 120 pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $400,000; a large quantity of suspected marijuana candy, known as “Jollies,” that closely resembles Jolly Rancher candies; multiple firearms, including a loaded Kimber .45 caliber handgun and an assault style rifle; drug paraphernalia, including controlled dangerous substance packaging and distribution materials; and approximately $350,000 in cash, according to the release.
Police also seized several bank accounts that contained proceeds from the drug network, one of which contained approximately $20,000, the release states. The bank account investigation is continuing, and the total amount to be seized from the various banks has not yet been determined.
Authorities executed search warrants at the following locations:
Residence of Christopher Brophy – 3723 River Road, Point Pleasant Borough, NJ. Alternate address identified for Christopher Brophy – 12 National Drive, Brick, NJ
Residence of Timothy Korber – 1948 Birchbark Place, Toms River, NJ
Residence of Andres Abad – 30 Coolidge Avenue, Brick, NJ
Residence of Robert Mitchell – 3107 Autumn Drive, Tinton Falls, NJ
Residence of Gregory and Amy Killian – 2023 Route 71, Spring Lake Heights, NJ
Residence of Michael Farr – 13787 Walter Avenue, Redding, California
Residence of Jeremy Frazier – 22179 Ravine Court, Redding, California
Residence of Michael Cappiello – 4033 Ormsby Way, Redding, California
Kill Fit Cross Fit Gym – 2411 Highway 35, Manasquan, NJ.
The following individuals were arrested:
Christopher Brophy, 29, of 3723 River Road, Point Pleasant Borough, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana and Knowingly Operating and Maintaining a CDS Production Facility. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Brophy at $200,000 no ten percent.
Michael Farr, 35, of 13787 Walter Avenue, Redding, CA was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana and Knowingly Operating and Maintaining a CDS Production Facility. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Farr at $150,000 no ten percent.
Timothy Korber, 30, of 1948 Birchbark Place, Toms River, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana and Knowingly Operating and Maintaining a CDS Production Facility. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Korber at $150,000 no ten percent.
Gregory Killian, 39, of 2023 Route 71, Spring Lake Heights, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Killian at $75,000 no ten percent.
Amy Killian, 32, of 2023 Route 71, Spring Lake Heights, NJ: Possession of Marijuana over fifty grams and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Ms. Killian was released on a summons.
Andres Abad, 24, of 30 Coolidge Avenue, Brick, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Abad at $75,000 no ten percent.
Robert Mitchell, 28, of 3107 Autumn Drive, Tinton Falls, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Mitchell at $75,000 no ten percent.
Virginia Kennedy, 57, of 3723 River Road Apartment A, Point Pleasant Borough, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana. Ms. Kennedy was released on a summons.
Michael Schneider, 20, of 134 Fairview Court, Brick, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana. Mr. Schneider was released on a summons.
William Brad Fraley, 29, of 612 Campbell Drive, West Long Branch, NJ was charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute over twenty five pounds of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Fraley at $100,000 no ten percent.
California resident Michael Cappiello, whose residence contained 200 marijuana plants and 10 pounds of raw marijuana, will be charged appropriately by authorities there, according to the release.
Authorities did not say if any of the individuals arrested had obtained legal representation.
The investigation is continuing in both New Jersey and California, and authorities expect to make additional arrests.
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