Father, son face drug charges

JACKSON — Township police culminated a two-month investigation with the arrest of two men and charged them with drug distribution and other crimes.

Joseph L. Coletrella, 51, and his son Joseph D. Coletrella, 18, were both arrested by Jackson police on Nov. 25, according to a press release issued by the Jackson Police Department.

Capt. David Newman said in the press release that "the father and son were involved in the distribution of heroin and marijuana from their residence … in a luxury mobile home park on Toms River Road (Route 571)."

Newman said that during a search of their home, police officers seized 500 bags of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be heroin, approximately one-half pound of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be marijuana and more than $6,000 cash.

Police said Joseph L. Coletrella was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (heroin), possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (marijuana) and endangering the welfare of a child.

Bail was set at $100,000 and he was initially placed in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in default of bail.

Police said Joseph D. Coletrella was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (heroin), possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $75,000 and he was initially placed in the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

The investigation that led to the arrest of the Coletrellas was conducted by Jackson Police Detective Mitch Cowit and Sgt. Michael Cunningham. The investigation is continuing, and additional arrests are expected, according to the press release. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Mitch Cowit at 732-833-3012.

Persons wishing to report drug-related activity may contact Sgt. Michael Cunningham at 732-833-3031 or they may anonymously contact the police department's drug tip line at 732-833-3032.