Freemon Watts (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A Lakewood man faces multiple drug and weapons charges after authorities seized about 400 grams of cocaine, several firearms and $14,000 in cash from locations including a storage unit in Toms River, officials said.
Freemon Watts, 46, of Lakewood, was arrested May 27 following a motor vehicle stop after detectives observed him leaving his place of employment in Lakewood, according to a statement from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. He has been held at the Ocean County Jail since May 28. A number of law enforcement agencies – including the prosecutor’s office, FBI and police from Lakewood, Toms River, Manchester and Neptune – executed court-authorized search warrants on Watts’ Lakewood residence, a Neptune Township residence linked to his alleged distribution operation, and a Toms River storage unit as part of the investigation preceding the arrest.
Seized during the searches were approximately 400 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a suspected Uzi-style submachine gun, two handguns equipped with large-capacity ammunition magazines and about $14,000 in cash.
Watts was charged with possession of five ounces or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, certain persons not to possess a weapon, possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine and financial facilitation.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer credited the multi-agency investigation for targeting large-scale cocaine distribution in the Ocean County area. The monthlong probe involved the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Asset Forfeiture Unit along with the participating local and federal partners.
Police, Fire & Courts
Cops Seize 400g Cocaine, Weapon After Being Led to Toms River Storage Facility
