A Seaside Heights man and a Toms River man are facing drug charges after police found them each to be in possession of cocaine.
Alexandro Contreras, 34, of Franklin Avenue in Seaside Heights, and Jonathan Ganlser, 33, of Foster Avenue in Toms River were arrested Sept. 24, 2015, by members of the Manchester Township Police Narcotics Enforcement Team.
The arrests occurred after the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu being driven by Gansler was stopped on Route 571 and Commonwealth Boulevard at approximately 6:48 p.m. for a motor vehicle violation.
During the course of the stop, Gansler, who appeared unusually nervous, attempted to reach into his pockets numerous times after being instructed not to do so. Subsequent investigation revealed that Gansler had a crack pipe in his pocket and was also in possession of crack cocaine and a hypodermic needle.
A search of the vehicle was conducted wherein paraphernalia associated with the use of crack-cocaine was recovered. This ultimately led to the arrest of the passenger, Alexandro Contreras. At police headquarters, Contreras was found to be in possession of a quantity of cocaine which was concealed on his person.
A total of 8 grams of cocaine was seized as a result of this investigation. Gansler was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle. Ganlser, who also had an outstanding traffic warrant out of Toms River Township, posted bail and was released.
Contreras was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail for Contreras was set at $10,000.00 and he was later transported to Ocean County Jail in default of bail.