Bayshore Narcotics Task Force Arrests 7 on Drug Charges in Middletown and Highlands

The Bayshore Narcotics Task Force arrested seven men, seizing drugs and drug paraphernalia at four separate locations, as part of its ongoing operation targeting drug activity in the Bayshore region, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a press release Friday. 

The Bayshore Narcotics Task Force, led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with the assistance from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Keansburg, and Middletown police departments, executed search warrants at four separate locations in Middletown and Highlands Wednesday night through Thursday morning seizing crack cocaine and powder, marijuana and drug paraphernalia commonly used in the sale of illegal drugs.

Arrested during the operation were:

Kevin “Duke” Allen, 29, was arrested at his Powell Avenue address in Middletown after investigators seized crack and powder cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He is charged with second degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute on or near a park (Hillside Community Center), third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, and a disorderly persons offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Allen is being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $30,000 bail with no ten percent option as set by Middletown Municipal Court Judge Richard Thompson, J.M.C. 

Gilbert “Gilby” Davis, 25, was arrested after investigators raided his Chestnut Avenue apartment in Middletown, seizing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Also arrested at the Chestnut Avenue address was Johnny J. Wright, 35, of Woodrow Wilson Homes in Long Branch. Both men are charged with second degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute on or near a Park (Hillside Community Center), fourth degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, and disorderly persons offenses of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Davis and Wright are being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $20,000 bail with no ten percent option as set by Middletown Municipal Court Judge Richard Thompson, J.M.C.

Adrian “Life” Vogelson, 40, was arrested at his Main Street residence in the Belford section of Middletown, after investigators seized marijuana and paraphernalia. He is being held on disorderly persons offenses of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, after failing to post $20,000 bail with no ten percent option as set by Middletown Municipal Court Judge Richard Thompson, J.M.C.

Demitri Kyriazis, 58, was arrested at his Laurel Drive residence in the Shadow Lawn Mobile Homes Park in Highlands after investigators seized crack cocaine. He is charged with third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute. He was released on his own recognizance.

Also served with arrest warrants were Robert “C” Jeffcoat, 31, whose last known address was on Raritan Avenue in Keansburg, and Aarron “Mikey” Butts, 26, whose last known address was on Stoney Hill Road in Keansburg.

Both men were being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on separate charges. The two men now each face additional charges of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, third degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute.

Acting Prosecutor Gramiccioni credited numerous law enforcement agencies for their assistance in this investigation, including: The Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Keansburg, and Middletown police departments

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Matthews of the Office’s Narcotics and Criminal Enterprises Division.