10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Psilocybin Seized In Beachwood Drug Probe: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Two men have been charged with distributing drugs from a Beachwood home after authorities seized 10 pounds of marijuana and other drugs following a three-month investigation, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.

Elijah Metellus, 20, and Dominic McGriff, 43, both of Beachwood, were arrested Tuesday and both face drug distribution counts among other charges, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Also arrested was Robert Labocetta, 62, of Toms River, on a possession charge, authorities said.

Authorities allege Metellus was storing the drugs in a home on Wave Street where he lived, and that McGriff was helping to distribute them.

On Tuesday, detectives pulled Metellus over as he drove away after leaving work and arrested him; a search of his vehicle turned up 2 ounces of cocaine, the prosecutor’s office said.

At the same time detectives watching the home saw McGriff go into the house, then leave and drive to the Emerald Apartments in Toms River. Detectives then saw McGriff “engage in a hand-to-hand drug transaction” with Labocetta. Labocetta was found with cocaine and arrested,

After McGriff left, he was pulled over on Route 37 by Island Heights police who found him in possession of 3 grams of cocaine. A search of his vehicle turned up 8 grams more of cocaine, authorities said.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant on the home and seized 10 pounds of marijuana, 192 grams of psilocybin, 8 grams of cocaine, an unspecified quantity of ecstasy/MDMA pills, drug paraphernalia indicative of narcotics distribution, a 9mm handgun, rounds of ammunition, and approximately $13,000 in cash, authorities said.

Metellus was charged with seven counts of possession of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine with intent to distribute; six counts of distribution of more than one-half ounce but less than 5 ounces of cocaine; possession of more than 5 pounds but less than 25 pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of marijuana; possession of psilocybin in a quantity greater than 1 ounce with intent to distribute; possession of psilocybin; possession of Ecstasy/MDMA; eight counts of possession of cocaine; three counts of conspiracy to possess cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a high capacity ammunition magazine, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a controlled dangerous substance offense.

He is being held at the Ocean County Jail.

McGriff was charged with possession of cocaine; possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute; distribution of less than one-half ounce of cocaine; wandering to obtain/distribute CDS, and conspiracy to possess cocaine. McGriff was taken to the Ocean County Jail but released to await trial.

Labocetta was charged with possession of cocaine, wandering to obtain/distribute CDS, and conspiracy to possess cocaine and released with a summons, authorities said.