Seaside Heights Raid Yields Drugs, Surveillance System

A Seaside Heights man is behind bars facing drug distribution charges, among others, after authorities raided his Porter Avenue apartment Friday.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group and members of the Seaside Heights Police Department obtained and executed a search warrant for a residence located at 138 Porter Avenue following an investigation into drug activity, Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford announced Monday.

Police seized a quantity of cocaine that was packaged into several individual bags, about $1,400 in cash and an expandable baton, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Authorities also found the residence was equipped with a video surveillance system which monitored persons arriving and departing.

As a result of the search, Alexander Contreras, 31, a resident of the apartment building, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a weapon and maintaining a fortified structure.

Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson set bail for Contreras at $50,000 cash.

A check of jail records Monday showed Contreras was still being lodged at the Ocean County Jail.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit assisted in the execution of the search warrant.